At long last, the Jose Mourinho vs. Antonio Conte beef may have finally ended.
Maybe.
It’s a row comprised of two very powerful men with extremely strong personalities and gargantuan sized egos. The two Premier League managers are both men who want to get the last word in. Additionally, neither the Manchester United manager, nor the Chelsea boss are individuals who are very likely to apologize, but this feud has to end sometime.
The Portugese’ use of the phrase “end of the story” today could signal a long awaited cease fire to the extended war of words between the two men.
“The first time he insulted me I had a response, a response that I know that touched the point where he really feels hurt,” Mourinho said at his news conference a couple hours ago.
“Then he insulted me for a second time, but now I change, and now contempt and for me, contempt means end of the story.”
Mourinho’s news conference on Friday was the first media opportunity since United returned from their three days of training in Dubai. Mourinho concluding his statement “end of the story” is somewhat similar to how Conte spoke in public the last time that this topic came up. The Italian concluded his comments with “I stop.”
Peace at last between Mourinho and Conte? Perhaps. At least until February 25, when the two will meet again on the touchline.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
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