Jose Mourinho has begun his emergence from the brief sabbatical that he’s had since being let go by his last club Manchester United just before Christmas.
The Portuguese manager was in characteristically combative mood, and seemed to send a series of veiled explanations for why the wheels came off so badly during his time in Manchester.
He picked out two examples of his rival managers being backed by their respective boards.
"In the first season Guardiola was not champion. It was really difficult. People were expecting a winning Manchester City.
"[Between the] first season and the second season, Pep made great decisions. Great decisions that were supported.”
Mourinho singled out the jettisoning of the entire existing full-back unit at the Etihad by Guardiola, who was then permitted to bring in Benjamin Mendy, Kyle Walker and Danilo.
Picking out another example, the Portuguese then brought up the recruitment which the Liverpool board have allowed while Jurgen Klopp has been at the club.
“How many of these players were in Liverpool before Jurgen arrived?
“No Alisson, no Van Dijk, no Salah, no Firmino, no Wijnaldum, no Keita.
“So when the other day I was talking about leadership related to the structure of the club, it’s everything.
“If you are a manager and you have in your hands the possibility to choose the players you want.. that’s one thing. Another thing is if you’re not able to do that.”
Are you listening, Ed Woodward?
