If on the pitch there has been a rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for many years, then in the technical area there is the rivalry between Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola. Although their fight is not as fierce as Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger, the stories on the two front lines are always "fueled" by the media in a state of explosion at any time.
Although the rivalry started when Mourinho took charge of Inter Milan and Guardiola took charge of Barcelona, the hottest part of the battle was when the Portuguese coach arrived at Real Madrid.
The rivalry between Real Madrid and Barca is one of the fiercest matches in the world. Therefore, every time Mou meets Pep, it is not difficult to see in the media the expressions that make every aspect increase many times.
After leaving Spain one by one, the ceasefire agreement seems to have begun. But in 2016, Mou and Pep reunited in England, with a different type of competition, when each of them was sandy in an area in Manchester. Although Manchester United and Manchester City are of course competitive, there are gradually changes between these two strategists.
There are still fights through the media, but when not surrounded by hostile atmosphere, respect for each other is increasing. They showed that when Tottenham prepared to visit Etihad Stadium tonight (0:30 on February 14, Vietnam time).
The problem for our coaches is not easy to develop or foster friendships, or develop relationships because we didnt meet, Mourinho said at a press conference as a member of the Barca coaching staff during Guardiolas time. "We met 2 minutes before the match and 2 minutes after the match, it was difficult.
But with Pep, I remember 3 years we worked together. We meet every day, together we celebrate the titles we have won.
We didn't cry but were disappointed together when we lost something important. The great times in my life, he was a player, I was a young assistant.
After that, I could only have a good feeling for him, without any bad feelings.
There are moments in life that we do not forget many things. One of the things I don't forget is when my father passed away (in 2017). Guardiola knows how important my father is to me. He called. By the way, February 12 is my father's birthday. And of course, when his mother passed away (in 2020), I shared in the same way.
There are things that people don't see, we don't need to share. I am sharing because now I have the opportunity, but I only have beautiful memories of him when we work together.
For Guardiola, he admitted that the two had met (1 or 2 times) in a restaurant but "had no time to meet each other" despite being neighbors in Manchester. However, the Spaniard likes their current relationship and is not concerned about comments in the media that are reshaping the rivalry.
Guardiola said: You can expect it or like it, but situations come naturally. Why do we have to compete with all the coaches? Before a match, I don't want to get into controversy. I have a good relationship with him. We can agree or not, but it is not a big deal.
His job is Tottenham, or before that United. For me, it's Man City. We have to deal with our own business, there is no time to know and care about other clubs. I don't like to stand under the stage lights. I'm here to talk about football."
This is the 25th meeting between Mourinho and Guardiola. In the last 24 times, 10 were for Pep and 7 were for Mou. The last time Tottenham beat Man City 2-0 in London.
