Wenger Is Not My Rival, Says Mourinho

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has downplayed his rivalry with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger ahead of the London Derby at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Both managers have had occasional altercation down the years including a touch-line spat at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season when Chelsea claimed a 2-0 win.

Despite been shoved by the Frenchman in west London on that occasion, Mourinho insisted he bears no grudges with his north London counterpart.

“For me, he’s not my rival,” the 52-year-old said in his pre-game media conference at Cobham training ground on Friday.

“I don’t feel that. He is the manager of a big club in the same city where I work and live. It is a big club with the same objectives we have.

Jose Mourinho Says Arsene Wenger is Not His Rival. Image: Getty.
Jose Mourinho Says Arsene Wenger is Not His Rival. Image: Getty.

Because of that always comes a bit of rivalry, but for me it is not different from when I was at Inter with the (AC) Milan manager or at Real (Madrid) with the Atletico (Madrid) manager.”

Chelsea head into the derby with a ten-point advantage over second-placed Arsenal.