Respect
Jose Mourinho has offered his backing to Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez, despite the two having a difficult relationship in the past.
Mourinho’s side take on the Magpies this weekend, and the United boss made it very clear he thinks the club are doing well, and are not his pick to drop back down to the Championship come the end of the season, despite being in the relegation battle.
Mourinho said: “They’re a good team, they have a very good transfer window with Kenedy and [Islam] Slimani – two players I know well and who can improve their team. Rafael Benitez knows how to get points.
They are a big club. I believe. I am not the person to say why they have struggled for years because what I know from the club is an incredible army of fans and a city which lives for the club.
“They’ve normally had good players, normally good managers. I can remember many of them, some of the best ones in the country and Benitez is another example. It’s difficult to understand.
“If you’re asking me if Newcastle will be in then Championship next season, I say no way.”
League position
Of course, both United and Newcastle have very different aims come the end of the season, and while Mourinho will want to make sure his side gets into the top four, the aim for Newcastle is to avoid relegation.
Benitez and the fans may be unhappy with the amount of money Mike Ashley spent in the transfer window, but the club know they have to try their hardest to remain in the Premier League.
United meanwhile are aware the Premier League title looks like going to Pep Guardiola and their neighbours Manchester City, but know they still have a hope of winning the FA Cup and indeed the Champions League.