The heat is on... managers reveal
MAYBE Neil Warnock and Nuno Espirito Santo will be exchanging Christmas cards this year after all.
An exchange of an entirely different type in April this year seemingly cemented the pair as mortal enemies -- and guaranteed that this week’s Friday night showdown between Cardiff City and Wolves will have an extra layer of spice.
And while the game should still be “tasty”, as Warnock put it, the rivalry in the dugouts may not be quite so frosty as it appeared on that night.
Although both sides desperately want the points after recent defeats, Warnock and Nuno have both brushed off speculation that they could again come to blows.
Here’s the story of the rivalry and where it now stands ahead of the rematch...
Why did Warnock and Nuno clash?
IT all stems from the April meeting between the sides, billed as a Championship promotion decider.
Cardiff missed two penalties in stoppage time, gifting Wolves victory courtesy of an earlier Ruben Neves strike. Automatic promotion was virtually in the bag for Nuno’s side following that 1-0 win, which left the Bluebirds’ promotion hopes up in the air.
The Portuguese therefore made the decision to race onto the field and celebrate with his players rather than shake Warnock’s hand straight after the final whistle.
Warnock made his feelings known as the Wolves boss offered a belated handshake, the Yorkshireman later insisting he would not accept an apology.
“I don’t accept it at all,” he said. “I think it’s out of order and total disgrace. He’s got to learn in British football you have class and manners.”
Nuno admitted he was at fault and ventured to apologise again in Warnock’s office after the game, though it is understood the two didn’t meet again until some time after that fateful night.
What’s happened since?
Warnock revealed at his pre-match press conference that he and Nuno had met at the League Manager’s Association (LMA) end-of-year bash last season. So, have the pair buried the hatchet after that infamous clash?
“I’ve already done that,” Warnock replied.
“I had a good chat with him last year. I phoned him when they won promotion.
“I think Wolves is a good club. I’ve always had a soft spot for Wolves. My first game in the Football League with Scarbrough was against Wolves. Cardiff City boss Neil Warnock
“We met up at the League Managers’ meeting.
“He’s a big bloke and he gave me a squeeze. I’m not sure if it was a nice one... Yeah it was!
“I haven’t got a problem. You have a bit of passion. That’s why I’m still in the game and why he wants to win things.”
So, Warnock – previously renowned for how he holds grudges – now seems to be more willing to kiss and make up, as he’s done with Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez.
Nuno also confirmed the pair met in very amicable circumstances. The best of enemies?
“It’s totally over. We had a chance to speak and clarified things, and now I can say we are good friends,” Nuno said.
“I respect him a lot. We spoke last season in the LMA awards, we had a good moment and things are clear. I’m going to shake his hand before and after. I learned my lesson.
“That’s the past. There’s an explanation for everything and I apologised and will not repeat it again. Our relationship now is with a lot of respect among each other.”
However despite the love-in, the cauldron of another Cardiff City Sta-