The on-field rivalry extends beyond players to encompass managers on the sidelines, particularly notable figures like Jose Mourinho, recognized as one of the greatest. His renowned and unparalleled tactical approach, attitude, and charisma bring an additional dimension to the contests.
The Portuguese tactician has managed prominent clubs like Chelsea, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Inter Milan, and experienced substantial success across Europe. Mourinho once supported Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta during his early phase at the Emirates.
Jose Mourinho backed Arteta during Arsenal’s tough spell
Jose Mourinho is currently in charge of AS Roma, having been appointed as the manager in 2021. He is currently in the final phase of his contract with the Italian club. Before moving to the Italian capital, Mourinho was managing the London club Tottenham Hotspur.
In the North London derby, the newly appointed Mikel Arteta led Arsenal played Mourinho’s Spurs in a 2-0 defeat, courtesy of goals from Son Heung-min and Harry Kane on December 6, 2020. Spurs’ victory extended the gap to eleven points, leaving Arsenal in 15th place on the points table.
In the post-match interview, Jose Mourinho lauded the Spaniard despite the Gunners going through their worst form. Mourinho dedicated his support to Arteta, hailing him as the right man for the job. Interestingly, he had identified the potential of the Arsenal boss.
Jose said, “Mikel Arteta is doing a fantastic job. Massive trust in youth, massive man-management…I hope he gets time, I’m saying to Arsenal fans, with him Arsenal will be Arsenal again.”
“I want to give congratulations to Mikel [Arteta] because he gave us a very difficult game. Tactically, they are very good; they were well organized and gave us problems.” He added.
That season, Arsenal finished in eighth place in the Premier League table as pressure mounted on Arteta and expectations for delivering results spiked. Nonetheless, Mikel Arteta did prove Mourinho’s words true with a complete turnaround of his team, finishing as runners-up last season—the closest they have been to a league title since the Invincible Era.
When did Mikel Arteta join Arsenal as a coach?
Mikel Arteta’s arrival at Arsenal brought significant expectations, despite his limited prior experience. Previously, he had only served as an assistant manager under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. The Gunners demonstrated their faith in his ability, considering his learning from one of the best managers.
In December 2019, Arteta was appointed as the new head coach of the Gunners for his first-ever managerial stint. Despite a turbulent start, his vision, wise investment in youth talents, and hard work have yielded positive results, winning three trophies.
The Gunners are presently sitting at the top of the Premier League table following their recent 4-3 win over Luton Town. They have positioned themselves as formidable contenders to lift the league title in recent times. Moreover, their return to the Champions League has also been phenomenal, securing a place in the Round of 16 as table toppers.
