Jose Mourinho has dubbed Arsene Wenger one of the best managers in football history for all the success he achieved at Arsenal.
Wenger won three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups during his 22-year reign as Gunners manager.
Mourinho had a number of high-profile bust-ups with Wenger during his spells at Chelsea and Manchester United, and most notably called the Frenchman a ‘specialist in failure’ in 2014.
But in a video message to Wenger at the Laureus Sport Awards, at which he was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award, Mourinho was full of praise for his former rival.
The Portuguese said: “There were some episodes along the road. I can only speak by myself. I really enjoyed the competition. But the real respect was always there.
“He made lots of history in that football club. The nickname is there – the Invincibles. Amazing. A coaching philosophy, the almost perfect team.
“He is one of the best managers in the history of football.”
Both managers have been out of work since leaving their most recent jobs, with Wenger stepping down from Arsenal last summer and Manchester United sacking Mourinho in December.
Mourinho revealed he is keen to manage in France while Wenger remains unsure over when he will return to management.
The ex-Monaco boss said: “My future is unknown – even for me.
“I enjoy daily life now and I have been travelling a lot recently all over the world.
“I am enjoying a little bit less pressure, and more freedom as well. But I miss the competition.”