7M Story - The best enemies

Posted Thursday, October 06, 2016 by 7M Sport

Do you know? The best enemies who lead two Manchester giants nowadays were former friends, Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho. How is the relationship planted between both legends? Today we will bring you the story of Guardiola vs Mourinho.

Good friends, the same dream

In May 1997, when Robert William Robson brought Barcelona to defeat PSG and win UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, two people embraced each other to celebrate the victory - midfielder Guardiola and the translater Mourinho. The Portuguese once told the journalist, "We have been close." Although Mourinho was just a translator at that time, he has the same dream as the Spaniard of being a football coach. So they often talk about the tactics, which will be transferred to Robson after that. Due to such experience, the two guys become very good friends as Mourinho has spent a happy time in Barca.

Break up

7M Story - The best enemies

However, on 2008, also because of Barca, their friendship came to an end. What happened? At that time, Mourinho already wrapped up the titles of UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup and Premier League, which made him become a threatening manager around Europe. On the other hand, his good friend Guardiola's lacklustre records after taking charge of FC Barcelona II kept him an unimpressive person. Meanwhile, Frank Rijkaard decided to leave Barcelona. Mourinho regarded it as a golden chance and said he will recommend Guardiola to be the assistant coach if he can be the next manager. Unexpectedly, the story turned to the opposite direction...

Former Barca official Aitor Begiristain Mugica came to Lisbon to meet Mourinho as he has set out a plan, analyzing the problems and current situation of the club. Moreover, he made a list of new players to buy in order to strengthen the Spanish club, such as right back Dani Alves da Silva and midfielder Seydou Keita. Till now, it is easy to recognize the full confidence of Mourinho. But, maybe he was too confident.

When the Portuguese took the position of Barca boss for granted, the Spaniard was announced to be the successor of Frank Rijkaard, and this really shocked Mourinho. What's more, many new players listed by him appeared at the squad finally. No matter what happened in the process, there is one thing we can conclude - the relationship between both guys coming to an end.

The best enemies

7M Story - The best enemies

Naturally, Guardiola presented as the new coach of Barcelona in the following season, while Mourinho picked up Inter Milan to be his next station. The former ended his first year with 6 titles, and then he met Mourinho in the UEFA Champions League in the 2nd year, the 2009 - 2010 season. During the group stage, Inter Milan were overwhelmed by Barca with 1 defeat and 1 draw. Nevertheless, struggling Nerazzurri fought back to achieve an impressive victory in the semi-final. They won the first leg on home soil by 3-1, and made a solid defense in the 2nd leg, to secure a 3-2 stunning win on aggregate. Therefore, Inter Milan knocked out Barcelona and promoted to the final. Mourinho cheered for their surprising success in this journey with one finger pointed to the sky and run to the pitch. Also this year, Inter Milan have the last laugh as they won the champion of this campaign.

Having won a treble with Inter Milan, the Special One departed from this club and come to Real Madrid, where he has to overcome his former friend once again. After that, all the fans were treated with fantastic confrontations by The Blancos and Barca in the following years. Among their 11 derby meetings in La Liga, Guardiola's men have a slight edge with 5 wins, 2 draws and 4 defeats.

On the pitch, the two rivals confronted each other directly. And off the pitch, they didn't stop the fire as well. The Real Madrid manager has publicly complained that, Guardiola always slams referee's decisions although they are right. But Guardiola also hit back to his words after the first leg in the semi final of UEFA Champions League by reminding Mourinho that they have been working hard together for totally 4 years. He knows Mourinho, and Mourinho knows him as well.

The latest chapter in the Premier League

7M Story - The best enemies

From friends to best enemies, we can hardly count the long-time rivalry and acrimony between former Real Madrid manager Mourinho and ex-Barcelona boss Guardiola. The fixtures were ringed on the calendar from the moment they come to England.

What are Jose’s thoughts on that?

"It’s his life, but for me it’s unthinkable to take a sabbatical. He is younger than me, but I’m not tired,” he said at the time, adding “I get exhausted when there are no games to play”.

And Pep?

"I could choose another club in another country where it's easier to be champions, but I chose the most difficult league in Europe."

Their first meeting in this campaign, Manchester United were 1-2 defeated by Manchester City. Next derby between both arch enemies will be the League Cup later this month. Let's wait and see.

(7M / Jacqueline)