The rivalry was about more than points and trophies. It was a fight for hearts and minds

City while at Old Trafford.

As I stated when Mourinho took over at Tottenham, negative appraisals of the style of his best teams are wrong and unfair. Football is at its most interesting when we see a clash of personalities and strategies. When applied expertly, what worked for Mourinho before will work again, whether it is for him or another manager evolving his work five, 10 or 20 years from now.

To lead that revival, he must carry the Spurs players with him and make them believe he can repeat his most triumphant work. Executing the kind of tactical masterclasses that have been his forte against superior opponents such as City would go some way to earning the trust he needs from those still adapting to life after Mauricio Pochettino.

His three biggest fixtures since moving to Spurs, against Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool, all ended in tame defeats. The old Mourinho magic – that capacity to structure the team to withstand pressure, make the game a dogfight and find a way to a win – has not been there. Throughout their careers, the clashes between Mourinho and Guardiola have been about more than the struggle for points and trophies. They have been a fight for hearts and minds.

Tactically and philosophically, it is the flag of the Manchester City coach that every aspiring young manager stands behind. Mourinho has won many battles against Guardiola. But he must acknowledge that Guardiola has won the war.