For us football fans the countdown to the start of the English Premier League has been a long one. Whilst the off season is usually filled with transfer rumours and meaningless friendlies August 8 is just around the corner, when we get back to watching some top class footie and hearing managers throw thinly-veiled insults at one another.

The king of the pre- and post-match taunt is, has and always will be José Mourinho, who hasn’t bothered waiting for the season to begin before unleashing his sharp tongue. Mourinho and former Liverpool, current Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez have always had an interesting relationship, Rafa ultimately taking over three of the teams previously coached by José and the pair clashing back in the 2004/2005 season when coaching rival teams.

Benitez’s wife Montse thought this was rather funny, making a light-hearted quip in a Spanish newspaper about how her hubby has to ‘tidy up his messes’.

Except something must have been lost tone-wise because when Mourinho caught wind of the comments he got nasty. The Guardian reports:

“For her to think about me and to speak about me – I think she needs to occupy her time, and if she takes care of her husband’s diet, she will have less time to speak about me,” Mourinho said.

A picture of Rafa Benitez below, who may be euphemistically described as somewhat portly.

Here’s why some people believe Mourinho has overstepped the mark:

When a public figure mocks the physical appearance of a rival, it can leave only a sour taste. Mourinho, unwittingly, also entered dodgy territory with the suggestion that Montse should be in the kitchen cooking meals for her husband and, all in all, it was a moment when his judgment failed him.

Two things we can count on then – Mourinho’s side will win plenty of 1-0 games this season and this won’t be the last time he runs his mouth to get an edge over a rival. Just click the picture below for a video reel of some of his more loose-lipped highlights.

[source:guardian]