Friends In Football: Can It Ever Work?

Is it possible to compete with someone you see as a friend in elite football? We will look at

Mikel Arteta has made a clear and bold claim of his admiration and respect for his long time friend and his beloved Arsenal’s title rival manager Pep Guardiola. Despite both competing as the top two clubs in England for the last two seasons, Mikel Arteta is not willing to compromise on his relationship with Pep Guardiola or the staff members at Manchester City. Here is maybe why: 

When Arteta retired from playing professional football in 2016, he was recruited by the Spanish coach Pep Guardiola as part of his backroom staff when he first moved to the UK. Arteta served as Pep’s assistant for 3 and a half seasons before taking the leap of becoming a football manager himself. Throughout the 3 years of working with Pep, Arteta learnt many things about football coaching and quite frankly was learning from the best there is to learn from in regards to how to win football games. Although the pair enjoyed a fruitful spell together at Man City, the Spaniards met in 1997 when Arteta joined the Barcelona academy as a teenager and became friends with Pep Guardiola. Since then, the pair have had a strong connection shared by the love of football and how they want to see the game played. 

Many have drawn similarities between the pair's coaching styles, mannerisms on the touchline, in game tactics (quick substitutions and change of shape) as well as a close attention to detail and willingness to learn and adapt. Some have believed that these similarities warrants Arteta to be called the “mini-me” of Pep Guardiola which both have dismissed. 

Some find it strange that Arteta can be friendly with someone he is trying to beat to the Premier League title. Many have grown with the understanding that “there are no friends in football”. From heated rivalries between clubs like Arsenal & Manchester United (Fergie Vs Wenger)  which transpired on the pitch to Vieira vs Keane, many people are not accustomed to a friendliness where there should be a fierceness in competition. 

Is it possible to compartmentalise the two? Will their friendship redefine how we see rivals? Arteta is confident that his friendship with Pep has no reason to impede on his ambitions to win the league with Arsenal. It is clear to see that Arteta is grateful to Pep for guiding him over the last 25+ years and does not feel it is necessary to turn his back on someone who has been a great help to him. Despite both teams engaging in a fiery rivalry recently in a well contested 2-2 draw, the pair continue to embrace each other and understand that football matters can be separated from off the pitch matters. 

What do you think? Can they be friends and be title rivals at the same time?