FOUR years after they last parted, throwing barbs at each other, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will lock horns again tomorrow.
Two legends of the Premier League, now holed up in Istanbul.
Both the Special One and the more soft-spoken Norwegian will relish the passion and drama as Fenerbahce’s flickering title hopes require a win over ’s Besiktas.
You cannot help but suspect both former managers would jump at one last chance in English football.
’s record of three Prem crowns across two spells at more than trumps Solskjaer’s reigns at and United, of course.
The Portuguese lifted both the and the during his spell, while Solskjaer’s highlight was a near-miss Europa final penalty shootout defeat to in May 2021.
That was less than two months after the pair had bickered like schoolkids following United’s 3-1 win at Mourinho’s Tottenham, just a week before he was sacked by Spurs supremo .
It was playground stuff, with Solskjaer accusing of “conning”; the referee to instigate a VAR check which ruled out a United goal.
Solskjaer said at the time: “If my son stays down like that and gets ten of his mates around him, he won’t get any food.”;
Mourinho responded that Solskjaer’s comments had made him “very sad”;, adding: “Sonny is very lucky that his father is a better person than Ole.
“As a father, you have to always feed your kids. If you have to steal to feed your kids, you steal.
“I am very, very disappointed. Like we say in , bread is bread and cheeseis cheese. I told Ole already what I think about his comments.”;
Four years on, with Solskjaer having been appointed by the Black Eagles in January, they meet again.
Since replacing , Solskjaer, 52, has lifted his side from seventh to fourth in the Turkish Super Lig, with a chance of a Europa League play-off spot ifthey can overhaul third-placed Samsunspor.
For Mourinho, though, whose side trail arch-rivals by five points with five to play, it is a must-win game.
However, at least before the match, the duo have downed their pistols.
Pressed on their personal rivalry, the man whose outstretched right foot broke hearts tocomplete United’s 1999 Treble demurred.
The Besiktas boss insisted: “This is not a match between Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
“This is a match between Besiktas and . The players will decide the score. I have great respect for Mourinho.
“There are not many managers as successful as him, so I’m looking forward to a derby like this.”;
Yet given their histories in English , it does feel like an odd place for them to have both ended up — and surely not their final destination.
It might not be easy to suggest a potential Prem club where Solskjaer would be an obvious fit, although his efforts at Cardiff suggest he could be an option for an ambitious outfit.
But one of the men who felt both the rough and smooth side of Mourinho’s tongue, former Chelsea and ace , is convinced the 62-year-old Special One has not run his last Prem race just yet.
Cole said: “Jose is still a genius as a manager. He still has potential.
“I’d love to see him back in the Premier League. He breaks box-office records. If you want to winsomething, Mourinho is the guy you go to.”;
Mourinho left Spurs with plenty to prove — winning the Conference League with in 2022 to make his point.
Like Solskjaer, he hasunfinished business in and would relish one last hoorah.
This weekend, though, it is all about the colour and intensity of Istanbul.
A draw would suit Solskjaer, who is hinting at playing without a recognised No 9, while Mourinho HAS to win.
The only guarantee is sparks will fly both on and off the pitch.
They wouldn’t have it any other way, either.
