Premier League managerial feuds: Four defining spats
The Premier League is a fiercely intense arena, and it is awash with some strong characters. Passion can spill over on the pitch between the players, and even the managers have been embroiled in battles. While off it, there have been more than a few choice words exchanged.
We have borne witness to many a hostile moment where some Premier League bosses have failed to keep their emotions in check. So, let’s unlock the vault, and look back at a few feisty, if not arguably comical episodes between some of the main culprits.
1) Arsene Wenger v Jose Mourinho
We couldn’t have possibly curated this list without including this famous warring duo. Jose Mourinho invariably lorded it over Arsene Wenger, and when Chelsea came up against Arsenal, the Blues normally curried short odds in the bet exchange.
Off the pitch, Mourinho was always quick to put down Wenger, and he memorably called his French counterpart a “specialist in failure”. But in the Battle of the Bridge in October 2014, things came to a head when Wenger encroached the Chelsea technical area after reacting to a strong challenge by Gary Cahill on Alexis Sanchez.
Wenger was fuming, as he encroached the Chelsea technical area, and he shoved Mourinho in the chest. Chelsea won the game 2-0, and fortunately for Wenger, the FA decided to take no further action against him.
2) Arsene Wenger v Alan Pardew
Alan Pardew was probably one of the most passionate, if not combustible managers when he was in the Premier League. And he got involved in an angry spat in 2006 when Arsenal crossed the capital to face West Ham at Upton Park.
A late Marlon Harewood winner saw Pardew fist pump the air before gesticulating in Wenger’s direction. Wenger was adamant there was a foul on Mathieu Flamini in the build-up to the goal, and after squaring up to Pardew, he pushed him in the chest.
The FA took a dim view of the incident, and both managers were charged with improper conduct. While it wasn’t an enduring rivalry, there were some tetchy moments between the pair.
3) Sir Alex Ferguson v Kevin Keegan
Title races can often be quite climatic, and in some cases, the high stakes can cause managers to lose their cool. During the 1995/96 season, Newcastle seemed to be in command, and at one point, they had a 12-point cushion at the top of the table.
However, Ferguson, and his United charges were chipping away at the gap, and Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan was getting increasingly rattled. It led to a famous rant after his side’s 1-0 victory over Leeds, in which Keegan admitted “he would love it” if Newcastle pipped United to the title.
Unfortunately for Keegan, Ferguson managed to get under his skin. The Scot won the mind games, and ultimately, the war that season.
4) Arsene Wenger v Sir Alex Ferguson
Two of the Premier League’s longest-serving managers were the best of enemies when they patrolled the touchline. During the 1990s and early 2000s, United and Arsenal were at the pinnacle of the English game, and their rivalry was intense.
Ferguson’s feud with Wenger started before the Frenchman even took control of the Gunners, suggesting he should stick to Japanese football. But perhaps “PizzaGate” in 2004 when United ended Arsenal’s 49-match unbeaten run, was the height of their feud. Ferguson was incandescent with the way Wenger’s players reacted the previous year after Ruud van Nistelrooy missed a last-minute penalty, and he was desperate for revenge. There was a melee on the pitch, and things continued after the final whistle as the players headed for the dressing rooms.
After “Pizzagate” there was a spate of suspensions dished out, and Ferguson’s rivalry with Wenger deepened.
