Mourinho fond of Pep from time in Spain
Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho says he prefers to remember his time being at the same club as Pep Guardiola rather than think about their rivalry as managers.
Mourinho was on the staff at Barcelona for three years when Guardiola was a player, but it is their battles in the dugout that garner most attention.
The pair have faced off as Barcelona and Real Madrid managers and most recently in Manchester,aswellasa memorable Champions League battle when Mourinho was at Inter.
It is a rivalry which had ups and downs for both men, but Mourinho is playing down the latest instalment as Manchester City travel to Spurs today.
“With him I remember more the three years we fought on the same side, working together at the sameclub,”hesaid.
“The space of the work every day for three years. I remember more that than what people can speak about rivalry.“Then of course Barcelona and Real Madrid, Inter and Barcelona in the Champions League, City and United, now Tottenham and City.
“Again no Jose and Pep. Clubs, teams and that’s just one more. A new chapter for us because it’s the first time, Tottenham against Manchester City with us. For me, it’s a game I want to win because I want my team to win and we need points.”
Mourinho has been able to enjoy a productive week on the training pitch, but thinks City’s progression to Wembley in the League Cup will give them a boost.
“I have to be honest and say that it was a good week of work for us,” he said. “And I also think that mentally it’s very important, the happiness of results, than one or two more days to rest, and I think the fact that Man City qualified for one final compensates for everything.”
Guardiola expects it to take time before Spurs begin to play in Mourinho’s image.
Results have so far been mixed and, while Guardiola admits he has seen little of Spurs, he thought Mourinho would need a while to make his mark fully.
Guardiola said: “I saw one game and a half, before then just highlights, I couldn’t say more than that.
“But everyone knows about him and about his personality as a manager. When you take over a team during the season it’s not easy to change things or instil something because you don’t have time to train.
“It’s difficult for people who have been there three, four years to train, review and add something. You always need time, but we’ll see in the future.”