I wouldn’t say not to him……:)

But for that money, I’d take Ricardo.

“It was ugly listening to Jose Mourinho attack Claudio Ranieri,” claimed Italian journalist Stefano Argesti. “Rarely had we heard such strong and offensive words pronounced in this conceited manner from an experienced professional about a colleague.” Elsewhere in the edition of the Corriere dello Sport from which that snippet came, the Rome-based paper reported that the sky was indeed blue and that the Pope had a vague interest in Catholicism.

Come on. Mourinho displaying an arrogant and disrespectful streak, it is hardly a shock is it? Far from a revelation, it is exactly what the fans, pundits and the calcio scribes themselves have been waiting for. Ever since Quello Speciale arrived on the shores of the peninsula football followers and observers have been waiting with eager glee for the touch paper to be lit and the Portuguese tactician to unleash a trademark volley. It took his Chelsea predecessor to press the right button.

Were his comments even that malicious and arrogant anyway? His CV contains a European Cup, a UEFA Cup, four League titles and five domestic Cups between Portugal and England, and two UEFA Manager of the Year awards. By contrast Ranieri has a Coppa Italia and Italian Super Cup double won over a decade ago with Fiorentina, a Spanish Cup and the European Super Cup in 2004 – which was effectively won by the team Rafa Benitez built. Jo-Mo was purely stating facts.

Besides, starting a war of words with Mourinho by saying that unlike him you don’t need to win was akin to the Juventus boss jumping into a spider’s web, rolling himself up neatly in the sticky silk and then calling out for the poisonous fangs of the deadly arachnid. In essence it exposed Claudio as the bumbling loser that Inter’s Coach painted him as – foolishly setting himself up for a fall at the hands of his younger, better opponent.

But the bigger picture is the Italian Press reaction – hardly known for their own sensitive nature. As journalists we love a character who will give great quotes and stir up controversy. They make stories appear where there are none, they enthral and infuriate the fans depending on their loyalties – and they make the sport a spectacle worth following. Mourinho is a God-send to Serie A and those who cover it in the Press – so please, spare us the moral preaching.

On another note, I will get out a short preview for Seville tonight. It will have to be short ’cause I know nothing about Seville team!

Some training notes for today that made me hope for the future:

“Ivan Cordoba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Luis Jimenez, Walter Samuel and Nelson Rivas trained with their team-mates as Mourinho’s squad went through a technical-tactical session.

Julio Cruz (therapy, cycling, strengthening), Cristian Chivu and Marco Materazzi (long aerobic session, technique drills for both players) trained separately.”

i cant believe that he pullin that. i’ve pulled older chicks but none were of that caliber. i guess money and fame really do talk. MAD props to mr. mario “i have some serious game/money” balotelli. (pun intended haha)

You don’t want to see Ricardo at Inter….