Jose vs. Josep

The football world is full of rivalries shaped by geography, politics, and personality cults. Examples include the political rivalry between England and Argentina in 1986 World Cup quarter finals because of the Falkland Islands, the famous derbies across the globe that represent inner tensions between two or more teams within one city like Inter and Milan in Italy, Arsenal and Chelsea in London, and Real and Atletico in Madrid.

In addition, there are even rivalries that are based on which player is better, like Pele and Maradona, and Messi or Ronaldo. Yet very rarely do we come across a rivalry between football coaches that crosses countries, teams and times like the rivalry between Josep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho. 

The rivalry between Josep “Pep” Guardiola and Jose Mourinho did not start in a usual way due to teams' rivalry, but rather a causal and personal relationship rivalry that begun in 1996. Jose Mourinho was hired as a translator for the new coach of Barcelona at the time, Sir Bobby Robson, while Guardiola played for Barcelona at the same time. Mourinho had worked as Robson's personal translator at Sporting and Porto before making the move to Spain with Robson, with Robson making Mourinho's hiring a condition of his employment.

There were no occasions of hatred or conflict between the two, and they had mutual respect between themselves at these times. The problem began around 10 years later. At the time, Mourinho became a very successful coach that had accomplished every possible title with Porto, while also guiding Chelsea to two Premier League titles, but failure in the continental arena led to the end of his way in England.