Former Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger has been credited for a job well done as he received the Laureus Lifetime Achievement award on Monday. Arsene received congratulatory messages from people around the globe, but the shocking message came from the unlikeliest of sources, Jose Mourinho.
69-year-old Wenger won the award on the back of his revolutionising English football especially in the first part of his over two decades in charge of Arsenal. The veteran former Gunners boss and Mourinho clashed often on and off the touchline. However, Mourinho who was sacked by Manchester United in December, paid handsome tribute to Wenger through a video. The Portuguese, who had two spells at Chelsea and then a turbulent one at United, acknowledged there had been moments when they had been at odds with each other.
Wenger, was virtually unknown but proved an inspirational choice by then Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein when he was hired in 1996, he won a host of trophies which include three Premier League titles and lifted the FA Cup seven times.
However, perhaps his greatest achievement was the title winning side of the 2003/04 campaign who went through the league unbeaten.
Jose Mourinho was quoted saying “I can only speak by myself. I really enjoyed the competition. But the real respect is always there. “He (Wenger) made lots of history in that football club. “One of the best football managers in the history of football.”