Martin O’Neill Delivers Sharp On-Air Jibe at Jose Mourinho
Martin O’Neill, the former manager of Celtic, recently made headlines with a sharp on-air remark aimed at Jose Mourinho. This comment came during a segment on Premier Sports, where O’Neill recalled the 2002 UEFA Cup Final in Seville, which still stings for him.
O’Neill’s Grievance with Mourinho
Despite the passage of 22 years, O’Neill has not forgotten the heartache from that night in Seville, where Celtic fell short against Mourinho’s Porto team. The match ended in a 3-2 defeat for Celtic after extra time, despite standout performances from Henrik Larsson.
Live Remarks on Premier Sports
- O’Neill acknowledged Mourinho’s managerial prowess.
- He made a light-hearted accusation regarding Porto’s tactics during their UEFA Cup campaign.
- He humorously referenced how he believes Porto “cheated” their way to victory.
O’Neill expressed, “I think he’s a great manager, a really great manager,” emphasizing Mourinho’s strategic brilliance. However, he couldn’t resist reiterating his belief that Porto’s path to the final was not entirely fair.
Praising Mourinho’s Career
While O’Neill holds a grudge, he also shows respect for Mourinho’s successes, particularly during his tenure at Chelsea. He stated, “If the world ended tomorrow, he’s one of the greats.” O’Neill praised Mourinho for his ability to manage top players and win consistently, underscoring Mourinho’s impact in establishing Chelsea as a dominant force in football.
O’Neill’s remarks highlight a mix of admiration and rivalry, rekindling old memories from a fiercely contested final while acknowledging the skills and achievements of one of football’s most renowned managers.
