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Pep Guardiola & Jose Mourinho's Relationship

Pep Guardiola & Jose Mourinho's Relationship

From colleagues at FC Barcelona to nemeses as rival managers, José Mourinho and Pep Guardiola share a unique past. Here we recap their relationship in football.

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The pair first crossed paths when they worked together at Barcelona in 1996, when the Portuguese was employed as a translator for Sir Bobby Robson.

Under the Englishman's successor, Louis van Gaal, Mourinho became more involved in planning practice sessions and the tactical side of things. He continued working as the Dutchman's assistant manager, while Guardiola captained the senior team.

Both Mourinho and the Spaniard had obvious – albeit different – qualities, but nobody would've predicted that by 2016 they'd have won 44 trophies between them as professional managers of some of the world's largest clubs.

Up until now, the height of Mourinho and Guardiola's rivalry was during their years as Real Madrid and Barcelona bosses, where they never hid their feelings about one another.

The Portuguese openly criticised Guardiola's Barca every time he got the chance, which eventually sent the Spaniard into an uncharacteristic, public fit of rage.

Before an El Clasico in the 2011 UEFA Champions League semi-final, the always-controversial Mourinho spoke openly about Guardiola in a pre-match press conference and claimed that the Barca manager complained about referees too often - even when they had made the correct decisions.

Guardiola and his players apparently watched Mourinho's presser from the team's hotel, but the reaction from the manager was one nobody could've predicted. In a famous foul-mouthed, 45-minute press conference, the Spaniard ripped into Mourinho and sarcastically suggested the Portuguese should be given a Champions League trophy for how he handles the media.

Mourinho and Guardiola have met a few times since that famous incident and it's the Manchester City boss who has had the upper hand.

Overall, the two have faced each other competitively as managers on 16 occasions, with Mourinho winning just three of those clashes and Guardiola winning seven, while the other nine games all ended in draws.

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On Saturday, Guardiola and Mourinho will battle at the Old Trafford, which could be the start of one of the Premier League's greatest ever managerial wars.

Who do you think will win the Manchester Derby on Saturday? Let us know in the comments section below. 

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