Walter Mazzarri out to make an ass of Jose Mourinho, the man who once called Watford boss a ‘donkey’
Watford boss plots revenge in bid to ramp up the pressure by inflicting a third successive defeat on Manchester United chief
THE MAN once branded a donkey by Jose Mourinho is out to make an ass of the Special One.
Just eight days after Pep Guardiola ended Mourinho’s unbeaten start, another old rival Walter Mazzarri now has the chance to ramp up the pressure on the Manchester United chief.
During his time at Inter, the Special One clashed with Watford boss Mazzarri while he was managing Sampdoria and then Napoli.
At the time Mazzarri snapped: “Mourinho talks, talks and talks rubbish, so much rubbish.”
Mourinho’s jibe, after a 0-0 draw in 2009-10, that Napoli were “predictable” also got Mazzarri’s goat.
The Italian raged: “Considering how much Inter struggled, imagine if we had been unpredictable. They didn’t leave their own half for a third of the game.
“I don’t like to stir up controversy, but if I am attacked I won’t be taken for a fool. This is why I replied.”
It was a red rag to a Portuguese bull, especially when Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis called Mazzarri HIS “special one”. Mourinho shot back: “Beating me is the most important thing in his career. A donkey can work hard — but will never become a thoroughbred.”
When Mourinho, now 53, left Inter for Real Madrid in 2010, Mazzarri said: “Will I miss him? No, and I am not sorry!”
Yesterday Mazzarri, 54, did at least try to put the past behind them. He said: “It’s normal when you fight for top positions that it happens.
“In life there are some episodes but with time Mourinho and I got to know each other.
“We are both coaches who want our teams to perform in the best possible way and would do anything for that.
“I have a very good relationship with Mourinho. There is professional respect.
“There will be handshakes between us and a drink afterwards — no problem.”
Mazzarri has injury fears in defence for Saturday's noon clash, with centre-backs Younes Kaboul and Sebastian Prodl doubtful.
They will be bidding to figure in a back line which will have to stop United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic, hailed by Mazzarri as an “immortal”.
The Hornets boss said: “Ibrahimovic is the type of player I call eternal and immortal.
“I have managed against him many times, he can make the difference on the pitch.
“But it’s very important to keep in my mind United are not just Ibrahimovic. Wayne Rooney, Marouane Fellaini . . . they have a great squad and we have to be careful.”
However, Mazzarri says he would not swap his midfield find Roberto Pereyra, signed from Juventus in a £13million deal, for United’s £89m world-record signing Paul Pogba.
Pogba, 23, struggled in Thursday’s 1-0 Europa League defeat at Feyenoord.
And Mazzarri said: “He is another champion, a very young player and of course this may have an influence on him adapting a little slower.
“But as a principle I fall in love with my players. They are very important.
“Pereyra has great qualities and was the player I wanted.
“If I had to choose, I’d pick Pereyra.”
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