Jose Mourinho warns Premier League rivals they could regret transfer window change

Jose Mourinho
Jose Mourinho is happy with the decision to close the transfer window at the start of the season Credit: Mathew Peters/Getty Images

Jose Mourinho yesterday told Manchester United’s Premier League rivals they had opened the door to the poaching of their players by voting to shut the transfer window before the start of the season.

Mourinho declared himself pleased England’s elite clubs had agreed to close the window three weeks earlier from next summer, despite United opposing the motion because it would place them at a competitive disadvantage to the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.

The Portuguese even claimed United could end up benefiting from the change, warning they could easily fend off late-August bids for their players and casting doubt on whether other Premier League clubs could do the same.

Applauding Thursday’s vote, which passed by a narrow margin, Mourinho said: “As the head coach of Manchester United, obviously, I am in favour of that because if I focus just on the training process.

“Day one, I want to have my squad, my players. I want to work and travel with them in pre-season. I don't want to be waiting for late decisions.

Mourinho successfully added to his Manchester United squad in the summer picking up the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic 
Mourinho successfully added to his Manchester United squad in the summer picking up the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic  Credit: Dave Thompson /AP

“But there is another perspective, and I have to share the problems the board has, and that is that, obviously, when the decision is not uniform around Europe, and all the championships, then we are opening a disadvantage for the English clubs.”

He added: “That was the reason why Manchester United voted against.

“The market will be closed for us and is open for others and they can come to the English clubs, buy players, and they can leave English clubs without the possibility of a big action, so it's another element of weakness.

“If you ask me about Manchester United, I hope we are strong and powerful enough. We also close our doors and say, ‘The offer doesn't matter. We close the market for buying, for selling’.

“I expect my club to be acting that way but there are other English clubs that will be in risk. I hope it goes to the perfect situation, which is to close for every championship and not just the Premier League.”

United were joined in opposing Thursday’s motion by Manchester City, who also appear to have defied the wishes of their manager, although Pep Guardiola suggested yesterday they had been on the same page.

“I am so happy with the decision the Premier League have taken,” he said.

“Manchester City, what I know is they agree about that. We just have to reflect that the transfer window in England will be closed sooner than in Europe, in Spain or in Italy.

Chelsea's Antonio Conte is happy with the change to the transfer window 
Chelsea's Antonio Conte is happy with the change to the transfer window  Credit: Tony O'Brien /Action Images

“What we promote is to try to speak with Uefa and Fifa so that all the countries finish at the same time.”

Chelsea counterpart Antonio Conte, whose club voted in favour, said: “If you have a plan and this plan is very clear, it's not important to wait until the end of the window to sell your players.

“If you decide at the right time what players are to stay in your squad, I don’t see any problem about this.”

Burnley were the one club to abstain from the vote, also because other European leagues had yet to commit.

Manager Sean Dyche, who wanted the window closed early, said: “They know my views as a manager but, from the club’s point of view, it’s similar but slightly different.

“What about the rest of the windows - are they going to close? We’re not sure yet.”

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