3. Pep Guardiola
At the turn of the 2010’s Mou and Pep became enemies despite being friends during their time at Barcelona. Why are the close friends now enemies?
Firstly, the Portuguese tactician was passed over for the Barcelona job and Pep was appointed, secondly Mourinho’s Inter Milan defeated Pep’s Barcelona in the now infamous Champions League semi-final who were seen as the best in the world at the time.
Though the duo have never directly called out each other’s names in dissing the other, they have questioned the other team’s abilities. The head-to-head record suggests Pep is the better coach of the two.
Below was what Mourinho once said of Leicester City boss during his tenure at Inter Milan:
“Ranieri? I guess he’s right with what he said I am very demanding of myself and I have to win to be sure of things.
“This is why I have won so many trophies in my career. Ranieri on the other hand has the mentality of someone who doesn’t need to win.
“He is almost 70 years old. He has won a Supercup and another small trophy and he is too old to change his mentality.
“He’s old and he hasn’t won anything. I studied Italian five hours a day for many months to ensure I could communicate with the players, media and fans.
“Ranieri had been in England for five years and still struggled to say ‘good morning’ and ‘good afternoon.”
Despite all these comments, Ranieri remained gracious of Mourinho and kept on praising his pedigree.
Giving that Leicester City’s 2 – 1 win over Mou’s Chelsea in December 2015 sealed his Chelsea fate, it safe to say the Italian has had the last laugh.
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