They were once friends who became the fiercest of foes.
The symbiotic fortunes of Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola seem destined to forever remain entwined. From their early days together as translator and player at Camp Nou, through their often fractious rivalry in charge of Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively, to the latest Mancunian chapter to their battle for supremacy.
It is a professional and personal relationship that has been far from harmonious. Healthy competition has descended into vindictive bitterness on more than one occasion, with Mourinho cast as chief tormentor to a riled and wound up Guardiola. But there are signs that the pair have mellowed in their attitudes to one another with age.
Certainly the Manchester United manager’s most recent comments about his City counterpart show a level of respect and empathy that bodes well for a harmonious future. Mourinho was talking to France Football about various things, but decided to defend Pep unprompted from accusations that the Catalan is stubborn and blind to criticism.
Stressing the intense pressures involved in the modern game, Jose was defensive of his old Barca colleague, and said the City man was indeed justified in ignoring the type of criticism that only adds to the strain of the profession:
“In big clubs, where people like [Pep Guardiola] and myself are, you feel this pressure, regardless of your stature.
“I will tell you know what Guardiola said: “The first necessary quality for the next manager of Barcelona will be to know not to listen.” He is totally right. The problem is that we listen.
“I think that what Guardiola was trying to say, is that we should listen, but we should not take into account what we hear. To leave it behind you. Not to allow yourself to be influenced by it. To be strong. To take unpopular decisions.
“That is why I am not surprised that Pep, at one point, said: “I am taking a break. I am going to New York.” …There is enormous pressure. Not only to save the club, but to save their job. Pressure exists in multiple forms, but it is omnipresent.”
All very reasonable and collegial of the Portuguese. Whisper it, but peace may have broken out in Manchester.
