The curious relationship of Wenger and Mourinho

We all know Jose Mourinho’s penchant for mind games. He seems to able to pull the strings in the media, but whether his tactics are successful are debatable. His motives are too: He could be deliberately trying to unnerve opposing managers or players, or it simply could be a result of his quirky, outgoing behaviours.

On the topic of Arsene Wenger, his statements are especially confusing. Mourinho alternates between praise of Arsenal’s talent, youth system and style of play with its lack of success over the past decade.

Upon receiving news of Wenger’s three-year contract extension earlier this month, Mourinho said: “It is fantastic he is staying. I’m happy that a club like Arsenal trusts the manager so much, and gives him a new contract even without knowing if they are going to win the title. It’s fantastic to give that stability, and an example.

“I’m happy for him. He is one of the best managers in the game, and the fact that in the last few years he couldn’t win a trophy doesn’t change what I think about him.”

Jose Mourinho respects Wenger, and Wenger respects Mourinho. Arsenal and Chelsea are neck and neck chasing the Barclays Premier League title, however, and chivalry at this point of the season is nothing but a rouse.

Words have been exchanged at the respective managers’ press conference. Neither have been antagonistic, but the high level of gamesmanship is clear.

When asked what could hinder one of the teams gunning for the title, Wenger responded: “It’s fear to fail. It is very open. Only Chelsea can lose it now because they are in front and the all other teams can win it. It will be very tight until the end.

“If you’re not in the race you cannot lose it, if you declare yourself not in the race you cannot lose it, simple as that. I think our job is to be ambitious and to try to win, if we do not win – to take full responsibility for that.”

To which Mourinho uttered a now famous response. Calling his counterpart a “specialist in failure”, that “I have a lot of respect for him. Failure is not winning a title in seven or eight years. That’s failure.”

The two make for a peculiar relationship. Talk to either in the summer and they’d go on about their mutual respect and affinity for each style of play. In the middle of February, however, things are different.

Even at the level to which English media exaggerates the importance of each sound byte Jose Mourinho makes, most of what he says can’t be mistaken. He gladly points the attention towards other managers in the league, waiting to see what response he can extract. It’s a combination of his open personality and the mysterious drive to unnerve others.

Comparatively, Wenger does not project the same confusion among the media. Usually you can put his pressers on mute and predict exactly what he’s saying. His players are young, learning and the other team will put up a fight. Etcetera. Maybe Mourinho is trying to rile up Wenger, but the fact is that these quotes don’t change anything.

Mourinho questioning Wenger’s supposed penchant for failure doesn’t change how Chelsea prepares for Manchester City, and Arsenal for Liverpool in the F.A. Cup this weekend. This is mostly banter to keep the media away from criticism of team selection, formations and tactics.

These two sides will link up March 22nd at Stamford Bridge, however, for a match likely vital to the race for the Premier League title. We’ll all just have to see what tunes both managers are singing leading into that game.