Mourinho's Rivalry: Beating Arsenal and the Fear of Playing Newcastle

Introduction

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho had a well-known rivalry with Arsene Wenger, but he admits that playing against Arsenal was never a problem for him. In fact, he enjoyed beating them every time. However, Mourinho reveals that there was another Premier League boss who he feared playing against more than Wenger.

Mourinho's Rivalry with Wenger

Mourinho's feud with Wenger was one of the most intense and bitter managerial conflicts in Premier League history. The rivalry between Chelsea and Arsenal was fueled by this animosity. Despite the heated battles on the touchline and the exchange of words, Mourinho insists that the rivalry was never personal. He states that he never had such a bad feeling towards Wenger that he would avoid him in public. Instead, Mourinho took pleasure in defeating Arsenal every time they faced each other.

Fear of Playing Newcastle

Surprisingly, Mourinho admits that he feared playing against Newcastle more than Arsenal during his time at Chelsea. He recalls that he rarely won when facing Newcastle, with only one or two victories to his name. Mourinho emphasizes that there was never a rivalry with Newcastle's managers, such as Alan Pardew or Sam Allardyce, but he knew that playing against them would always be a tough challenge.

Mourinho's Desire to Return to Management

Currently without a managerial position, Mourinho expresses his eagerness to get back into work. He reveals that he has already turned down an approach from Saudi Arabia and has no desire to return to Manchester United. However, he is actively seeking a new challenge and is open to opportunities that align with his ambitions.

Conclusion

Jose Mourinho's rivalry with Arsene Wenger was intense, but he enjoyed beating Arsenal every time they played. However, he admits that playing against Newcastle was a greater challenge for him. Mourinho's desire to return to management is evident, as he rejects the idea of taking a sabbatical and eagerly awaits the right opportunity to arise.