One of the common things of these two sides is that both are teams in transition and are adapting to a new style of football under their respective managers. The summer transfer window saw both sides spend a fortune on new players. However, one has to admit that it is Andre Villas-Boas’ side that have managed to do a far better job in this period. Jose Mourinho’s side have struggled quite a lot and are far from a finished product.
Regardless, Saturday’s game will be more about bragging rights and three points. This game will be the litmus test for both managers and will also be a great chance for the two to get back each other and for one, a chance to get back at a club whose owner showed him the door so unceremoniously.
AVB’s first stint as the manager of an English side came with Chelsea. However, the young manager was not given a lot of time to instil the type of philosophy he wanted at Stamford Bridge and lost most of the senior members of the dressing room which became his unbecoming. It appears that the former Porto manager has learnt a lot from that episode and has used a negative experience as a way forward which speaks volumes of him as a person.
The doomsday scenario of a post-Bale world has been evaded expertly as the club now has more depth in the squad than ever before.
Another thing that will be the focus of the game would be the fact that AVB was Jose Mourinho’s assistance during his Porto, Chelsea and Internazionale days. Naturally, there is bound to be a modicum of respect between the two men now that they have gone their separate ways.
Initially when he arrived in England, comparisons were drawn between AVB and Mourinho. However, the former evaded those comparisons rather vehemently and it appears that the Spurs’ manager is not changing his mind about it anytime soon after he revealed that his relationship with his former mentor has “broken down” and that the two do not talk to each other anymore.
"We had a great personal and professional relationship before that we don't have now," said the 35-year-old.
"I don't think we need explanations on friendship and personal relationships. But our relationship broke down.
Had this discussion taken place a few years back, Mourinho would have come up with a stingy or a venomous reply. However, the Chelsea manager’s retort was rather evenly measured according to his standards.
Rather than discussing his relationship with AVB, Mou chose to throw his former apprentice’s words back at him.
"I would not describe it because I am not a kid, discussing relationships. I don't discuss this with the media. It's a personal thing. I don't care what he says. I'm not here to do that. I'm not interested," he said.
Was it the apprentice trying to do mind games synonymous with just a few managers in the game including the apprentice or was it just AVB being too honest about things?
Only time will tell but one thing is certain, when the two teams take on the field, tensions will be running high and both managers would be desperate to come out on top which will make the affair a whole lot spicier than it already is.
