Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has fired a thinly veiled shot at former club captain Gary Neville, among others, ahead of his side’s match with Liverpool on Saturday.
Increasingly, Premier League managers are having to answer criticisms from television pundits with Chelsea manager Antonio Conte labeling Sky Sports pundits Jamie Redknapp and Neville as “stupid” after the pair had described Chelsea’s performance in their 1-0 defeat to Manchester City as “anti-football” and “embarrassing”.
“Some of the guys with an opinion couldn’t resolve their own problems when they were managers, so they are giving opinions like they have solutions for everything,” said the United manager in response to Neville’s harsh criticism of his side’s first-half effort against Crystal Palace earlier this week.
“They’re in a position where they can give opinions about everything. Sometimes I read and listen, sometimes I don’t.
“This week I was more focused on enjoying the Champions League and the Europa League and preparing for my match rather than being focused on opinions.”
Conte said that pundits should use their heads when talking about football and that a person has to be knowledgeable when discussing tactics.
“The pundit has to use the head to understand when you speak about tactics,” said Conte.
“I think you must have knowledge to speak about tactics and not only to speak in a stupid way. You have to accept every criticism but I am not so stupid to play against Manchester City open and to lose 3-0 or 4-0.
“If I remember well, Arsenal played twice against them and then you [media] criticise a lot [Arsène] Wenger because they concede three goals in only 30 minutes.”
