LONDON (Reuters) - Jose Mourinho may be new to English football but the Chelsea manager could already give Arsenal's Arsene Wenger a few lessons in handling their mutual rival Alex Ferguson.
Wenger and his Manchester United counterpart have crossed swords ever since the Frenchman became a serious threat to Ferguson by winning the 1998 Double in his first full season at Highbury.
However, their rivalry has reached new heights since United ended Arsenal's record 49-game unbeaten league run at Old Trafford in October, when Ferguson was reportedly showered with snacks in what became known as 'The Battle of the Buffet.'
Ferguson re-ignited the row over the weekend by saying it was a "disgrace" that Wenger had not apologised for his players' behaviour.
The barb infuriated Wenger, who was doubtless already bitter after watching his champions slide to a 1-0 defeat by Bolton Wanderers which left Chelsea 10 points clear at the top of the table.
"I will never answer to any provocation from him any more," Wenger was quoted as saying, before implicitly calling for him to face disciplinary action.
"In England, you have a good phrase, it is 'to bring the game into disrepute'. But you are only punished for what you say after the game. It should also apply before the game."
The game in question is Arsenal's impending league fixture at home to United on February 1. Off the pitch, Wenger clearly believes the encounter is already underway.
Both managers know they have no realistic chance of catching Chelsea and that their goal now is a second-place finish and the other guaranteed place in next season's Champions League.
More important than the points, a victory for either side at Highbury next month would give them a huge psychological lift for the closing stages of the season and that contest to finish as runners-up.
A win for Arsenal, whose lead over United has been whittled away to a single point in recent weeks, would also lift the spirits of their manager in his ongoing battle with Ferguson.
FRUSTRATED WENGER
The Frenchman's evident frustration with Ferguson is in sharp contrast to Mourinho's recent success in dealing with United's wily boss.
Last week's 0-0 draw between the two sides in a League Cup semi-final first leg ended with Mourinho shaking Ferguson's hand -- and then giving the Scotsman a pat on the back of the head.
Though Mourinho later accused Ferguson of having influenced the match referee and alleged that United players had been cheating, he said there had been a friendly post-match chat over a glass of wine.
Summing up Ferguson's behaviour, the Portuguese coach skilfully offered praise -- and just a hint of malice.
"He is wonderful, a great manager, he is clever and he uses his power and his prestige," Mourinho said. "I don't think he should be punished. I just think referees shouldn't allow it."
So far, Mourinho has avoided Ferguson's full attention and has dealt well with the occasional taunt. Wenger is currently proving less successful.
