Piers Morgan and Mick McCarthy have vented their differences 17 years ago when Arsenal fans called for the then Wolves manager to be sacked after he rested players for a game.
Mick McCarthy stood by his decision when it was challenged in December 2009 (Image: YouTube)
Piers Morgan and Mick McCarthy have reignited their 17-year feud after the former Ireland manager called the show host “sucks”.
McCarthy was a guest on Morgan’s Sports Uncensored show, but the subject changed from the World Cup in England to a call to manager Big Mick, who was manager of Wolves in 2009.
Manchester United and Morgan’s beloved Arsenal were battling for the title that year, but in mid-December McCarthy opted to rest 10 of his outfield players during a 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford in midweek.
McCarthy’s rationale for doing so was two games for either side. His Wolves side have been playing in the top flight since winning promotion the previous year and had beaten Tottenham 1-0 three days earlier. He then watched his side give their all to a 2-0 win over Burnley. They will avoid relegation with eight points difference at the end of the season.
However, Morgan was furious when he saw Arsenal being held back by Burnley, feeling that United’s three points had been gift-wrapped. He then called for the firing of the Wolves manager at the time, although their views remained clearly different.
McCarthy said: “My job is to win games. We went to Spurs last Saturday and won 1-0 with about 35 per cent possession. On Tuesday we play Manchester United. We went there and dropped 10 players. I have 22 players in my team. If I’m the manager, it’s my right to manage the team in the way I see fit and get the results.”
Morgan replied: “And that’s my right as an Arsenal fan who was directly affected.” McCarthy tried to correct him, claiming that the Gunners “weren’t good enough to win the title, but Sir Alex (Ferguson) won the title again. And you blame me because you weren’t good enough. That’s really bad for you.”
The broadcaster doubled down on his point, saying: “Let me be clear: by releasing 10 players you gave United a walk, which had a direct impact on my team’s chances of winning the league. I thought this was an appalling abdication of my duty as a manager to entertain our fans with the best team possible.”
Piers Morgan could see the funny side of the conversation (Image: YouTube)
The former Wolves manager stressed the fact that his job was to keep Wolves in the Premier League, and no matter who questioned his methods, he ultimately achieved that and left the club with £100m to keep them in the top flight.
Morgan questioned whether his feelings would change if his rivals benefited at his expense, against a much changed team, but McCarthy admitted, “Like you, I would moan as hell!” Before they both admitted they were hypocrites.
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