Ranking the 5 greatest managerial rivalries in Premier League history

#3 Pep Guardiola (Manchester City) vs Jose Mourinho (Manchester United & Tottenham Hotspur)

Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola in conversation before a game.

Three-time Premier League winner Pep Guardiola first arrived in England after two immensely successful spells at Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

The Spaniard arrived at Manchester City with 21 major honours to his name as manager. That included two UEFA Champions League and six league titles. Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, had tasted success across Europe, engaging in battle with Guardiola during the pair's time in Spain.

In England, though, the clubs they managed could not have been further apart in terms of trajectory and ambition. However, that did not stop them from taking jibes at each other. Here is Mourinho's witty response when faced with a statement from Guardiola.

Mourinho, in several instances, has passed comments on Guardiola's typically animated behaviour on the touchline. He once said regarding the Spaniard:

"By the way, if I behaved the way on the touchline like he does, I have no chance to stay there - I'm out."

However, over the years, their rivalry has been much less in the spotlight, with the Manchester City tactician acknowledging that the pair share a 'good relationship'. Guardiola said in this regard:

"I absolutely prefer this; I don't like being in the limelight. His business is Tottenham, or before, United mine is City. We have to handle our team and backroom staff ,and we don't have time (for) other clubs - and could not care less. The only concern is what we have to do (against opponents)."

Guardiola is now looking to deliver yet another Premier League title for Manchester City. Meanwhile, Mourinho made a return to Italy with AS Roma to try and turn their fortunes around.

---

#2 Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool) vs Pep Guardiola (Manchester City)

Manchester City v Liverpool - Premier League

Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola are arguably two of the most animated managers in world football.

Their antics and dynamism on the touchline have resulted in both managers building reputations as 'peculiar characters in football'. Klopp's Liverpool and Guardiola's City have given us some of the most mouthwatering clashes in recent Premier League history.

The two have had some fiery words for each other over the years, but have always shown respect at the end of it. That makes for one of the most exciting rivalries in Premier League history.

Pep Guardiola's City team, over the years, have often faced still battles for the Premier League title. The Spaniard has acknowledged Klopp's ability to fight and rally his troops.

Klopp, meanwhile, lost the Premier League title to Guardiola's City by a solitary point in 2018, despite garnering 97 points that season. However, he has maintained a respectable relationship with his counterpart, congratulating him and City on their Premier League title win last season.

Liverpool once again lost the 2021-22 Premier League trophy to Manchester City by a point, but there is no doubt the two sides will do battle next season.

---

#1 Arsene Wenger (Arsenal) vs Sir Alex Ferguson (Manchester United)

Arsene Wenger (left) and Sir Alex Ferguson yelling instructions at their players.

Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge of Manchester United for an astounding 27 years, winning a record 13 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues. Arsene Wenger, meanwhile, was Arsenal's manager for 22 years, winning three Premier League titles and a record seven FA Cups.

The pair was in the league together for 17 years, sharing 13 Premier League league titles during this period. In 2017, Arsene Wenger went past Ferguson's record of most Premier League games (811) in charge of a club.

Their teams faced off in intense games that had a direct impact on the title race, as they were the two frontrunners for the league title. That often led to fiery encounters on the pitch, led by captains Patrick Vieira (Arsenal) and Roy Keane (Manchester United).

However, as the years passed and the two gentlemen mellowed down, Wenger and Ferguson became more relaxed and graceful with each other. When Wenger's biopic recently came out, Ferguson heaped praise on the Frenchman for his incredible achievements with The Gunners.

The pair has long since retired from their roles, leaving a huge rebuilding task to be accomplished at both Arsenal and Manchester United. Their legacies, however, will remain a part of Premier League folklore.