30 March 2023 , 01:00
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There will never be a more bitter and acrimonious rivalry in the Premier League than that between Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson.
For nearly two decades, their mutual loathing of one another and willingness to display it for public consumption made their rivalry the most compelling in world football. When Wenger arrived at Arsenal in 1996, Manchester United boss Ferguson faced the biggest threat to his side's domestic dominance and a rival who would ultimately drive him on to new heights.
Only when both had stepped down at their respective clubs - Ferguson in 2013 and Wenger five years later - could they bring themselves to publicly acknowledge a mutually held respect and admiration.
That was not possible during the years when United and Arsenal went toe to toe for the Premier League title, the animosity between the two managers mirrored by their players on the pitch in legendary battles. Urbane Wenger, with his cerebral, progressive approach to management, was the antithesis of Glasgow-born snarling streetfighter Ferguson, who made clear his disdain for his rival early on.
“They say he’s an intelligent man, right? Speaks five languages?” said Ferguson of Wenger. “Well, I’ve got a 15-year-old boy from the Ivory Coast in the academy who speaks five languages.”
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Another memorable Ferguson put-down of Wenger came in 1997, with the United boss clearly aware he was facing a rival capable of taking him on and beating him, hence his scathing appraisal of his Arsenal counterpart.
Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger had a number of furious spats during their managerial career (Getty Images)Who do you think was the better manager: Sir Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
“It's straightforward,” said Ferguson. “He has no experience of English football. He’s come from Japan and he’s now telling everybody in England how to organise their football.”
Once the battle lines were drawn, Wenger proved himself more than a match when it came to trading insults and barbs with Ferguson, most memorably in 2002.
In response to Ferguson claiming United, who finished third that season, were better than Wenger's title-winning side, the Arsenal boss said: “Everyone thinks they have the prettiest wife at home.”
Being afforded a ringside seat to the greatest modern managerial rivalry was a privilege, particularly now such battles are sanitised, with no genuine rancour or antipathy between the likes of Pep Guardiola , Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta.
Ferguson and Wenger deserve their place in the Premier League Hall of Fame – their absorbing rivalry itself is worthy of its own inclusion too, such was the indelible mark it left on English football history.