Mou: Window open for UCL
LONDON: Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho believes Manchester City’s two-season ban from the Champions League has opened the door for a host of teams to qualify for next season’s competition.
Mourinho’s men moved up to fifth in the Premier League — which could be enough to secure Champions League football should City’s appeal against the ban fail — thanks to Son Heung-Min’s stoppage time winner to beat Aston Villa 3-2 on Sunday.
Spurs are also now just one point behind Mourinho’s old club Chelsea, who they face at Stamford Bridge next weekend.
However, all of the top 10 are now within six points of what could be a Champions League place.
Later Sunday, Arsenal hauled themselves back into contention to qualify for next season’s Champions League with a 4-0 win over Newcastle thanks to second half goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nicolas Pepe, Mesut Oezil and Alexandre Lacazette.
“A window opens for many teams,” said Mourinho. “What seemed far, now the fifth place is not far. Arsenal, Everton, Sheffield United, Wolves. Everyone will feel they have the chance.”
Mourinho also jokingly asked whether Manchester City’s two-year ban from Uefa for breaching Financial Fair Play rules, means they will be stripped of their 2018 Premier League title.
Mourinho guided Manchester United to second place in that season, finishing 19 points behind Pep Guardiola’s side.
“I didn’t lose one single minute analysing what Uefa have to analyse,” Mourinho said.
“If I go into that, I have to ask if the team that finished second in 2018 is going to be champions, yes or no?
“That would be interesting but joking apart, I just wait calmly.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he still only wants the best for former employers Manchester City, even though the Uefa ban for the English champions could give the Gunners a route into next season’s Champions League.
Arteta, who left City to take his first senior managerial role at the Emirates in December, could now be the beneficiary of his former club’s punishment.
“It’s very difficult. I want the best for Manchester City, the best for [their manager] Pep [Guardiola] and the players. The only thing I want for them is positive and good things,” said the Spaniard. “I just want to do for Arsenal the best I can.”