The Unwavering Rivalry Of the EPL Titanic Managers

Arsene who? was the proclamation of many as Mr. Wenger entered the fray of the  EPL managers in 1996. 

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Arsene Vs Mourinho
Photo Credit: Dailymail

Eight years on, then came the self proclaimed ‘the special one’. Jose Mourinho.

Ensued was a clash of principles, character, ideals and approach to management. Between the Economics graduate, a conservative by nature, and the Streetwise, an extrovert by equal standard. Being accused as a Voyeur seemingly put the final nail on the coffin so to speak.

“I think he’s one of those people who is a voyeur. He likes to watch other people. There are some guys who, when they are at home, have a big telescope to see what happens in other families. He speaks, speaks, speaks about Chelsea”, Mourinho splutted refering to Arsene Wenger.

The stage was set for a prolonged and protracted rivalry between these two titans of the EPL. The English FA made several attempts to bring these two giants of management together, to at least, exercise a modicum of professional respect towards each other, to no avail. Sir Alex Ferguson, who is close to both men also tried without any success.

Consequently, meetings between their teams have long become a spectacle of the managers press conferences, expletives and behaviors on the touchline, rather than the performances of their players.

However, Mr Mourinho’s team always find a way to win or at least, draw against Mr Wenger’s team, until the recent Arsenal victory in the Charity Shield at the 14th attempt.

They failed to shake hands after Arsene Wenger gets his first win over Jose Mourinho in his career in a 1-0 defeat at the Community Shield match.

In the twelveth year of their rivalry, they again behaved like teenagers which cannot acknowledge each other’s presence.

Moreover, when Arsenal visit the Stamford bridge will be the true test of the Gunners credentials for the 2015-2016 season.

Even from afar, the battle raged on;

“the English like statistic a lot. Do they know that Arsene Wenger has only 50% of wins in the English league?”, quipped Mr Mourinho in April 2008, whilst managing Inter Milan.

“When you give success to stupid people, it makes them more stupid sometimes and not more intelligent,” was Mr Wenger’s response.

Conclusively, there appears to be no end in sight for these two protagonists, which makes for another interesting, dramatic and exciting EPL season for lovers of football.

Let the mind games roll and continue I’d say.