Wenger Says Dealing With Mourinho Made Him Feel Like Sitting In Kindergarten Again

Arsene Wenger (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Arsene Wenger has ignored Jose Mourinho's reaction not included in the biography of the former French Arsenal coach despite years of feuding, saying that dealing with the Portuguese coach made him feel like he was in kindergarten again.

Reporting from Antara , Monday, October 19, Wenger's autobiography, My Life in Red and White , recounts his 22 years at Arsenal but does not mention his duel with Mourinho, whose club Chelsea undermined the man's 'invincible' status. of French origin in 2004-2005.

Mourinho has said the reason he is not named in the book is, "Because he never beat me."

"It doesn't bother me. It's a permanent provocation." Wenger said to Canal Plus . "I felt like I was in kindergarten with him. But it is part of his personality."

Mourinho's rivalry with Wenger reached a boiling point in 2014 when they fought physically on the sidelines in a Premier League match at Stamford Bridge.

It took Wenger 14 attempts to finally beat Mourinho, who once called him a "failure specialist", and he only managed two wins in 19 meetings.

"We beat him twice. We won, and also a lot of draws," added Wenger.

"It's not 'you' who win, you just participate in the win. 'We' win. The manager is there to get the most out of the team."

Wenger, who left Arsenal in 2018, was appointed head of global football development by FIFA last year while Mourinho is now in charge of Tottenham Hotspur.