Jose Mourinho: only one manager (Wenger) ‘can cry in the morning, cry in the afternoon, nothing happens’

'In this country, only one manager is not under pressure' says Jose Mourinho, hinting blatantly at Arsene Wenger in a rant, adding that despite any shortcomings the Arsenal coach can 'keep the job, still the king'.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho attends a press conference on Friday ahead of his team's match against Newcastle United on Saturday. Tony O'Brien / Action Images / Reuters / September 25, 2015

Jose Mourinho's long-running feud with Arsene Wenger shows no sign of a reconciliation after the Chelsea manager put in a not-so-thinly veiled critique of the Arsenal coach.

Mourinho is angry at the Football Association’s decision to retrospectively ban Diego Costa for three matches following last weekend’s 2-0 win over Arsenal.

Costa is absent for the second game of his suspension at Newcastle United on Saturday evening after being sanctioned for grappling with Laurent Koscielny, while Gabriel Paulista had a ban rescinded after being sent off for his exchange with the Chelsea striker. However, Gabriel has subsequently been banned for one match for his reaction to the original dismissal.

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Mourinho refused to comment on the decisions, but instead appeared to wade into Wenger when asked about the pressure surrounding Newcastle manager Steve McClaren.

He repeatedly declined to name the Frenchman, whom he referred to as “the king”, but it was clear who he was speaking about.

“I think in this country, only one manager is not under pressure,” Mourinho said.

“Steve is under pressure, I am under pressure, Brendan (Rodgers) is under pressure, (Manuel) Pellegrini is under pressure.

“We cannot lose matches, we cannot be below expectations.

“There is one that for some reason is outside that list. Good for him.”

Mourinho was repeatedly asked to name the individual he believes to be the exception but appeared to be referring to Wenger, who pushed him in the Stamford Bridge technical area in October 2014. He has been Arsenal manager since October 1996.

“You know,” Mourinho said.

“He can speak about the referees before the game, can speak about the referees after the game, can push people in the technical area, can cry in the morning, can cry in the afternoon, nothing happens. Can be not achieved, keep the job, still the king. It’s a privilege.”

Mourinho insisted his comments were “not strong” and was asked why he thought there was an inconsistency.

“A good question. I don’t have a theory. I just have a reality,” Mourinho added.

“Just something that is real and is objective. If I speak about the referee, I am suspended.

“If I push a manager in the technical area, I am banned from the stadium.

“If I speak about players from other clubs and I ask for suspensions, I am in trouble.

“So, clearly, the facts are there. I don’t envy. It’s good for him.”

Mourinho said the club were still awaiting the written reasons for the FA’s decision, although it is understood they were sent on Thursday.

Following the midweek League Cup win at Walsall on Wednesday, Mourinho said “retaliation is allowed” in relation to Gabriel’s kick which was aimed at Costa.

Asked on Friday what he meant, Mourinho referred to the decision last season to suspend Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic for taking exception to a challenge from Burnley’s Ashley Barnes.

Mourinho said: “The reaction to something that happened before was always punished in football and now we know that it is not always. You can do that.”

Radamel Falcao or Loic Remy will start up front in Costa’s absence, with Willian (hamstring), Oscar (knee) and Pedro (thigh) all fit to feature.

The Portuguese has never won a league game at Newcastle.

Asked why, he said: “They score always one more goal than us.”

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