Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have offered an insight into their relationship after they were named in the Premier League Hall of Fame on Wednesday.
Ferguson, 81, has been recognised after winning a record 13 Premier League titles during his illustrious long spell at Manchester United. He also won the Manager of the Season on 11 occasions, with the last of those coming in his final year at the club in 2012/13.
Meanwhile, Wenger, 73, has also been selected for the outstanding job he did at Arsenal as he turned them into one of the best sides in history. Wenger's Gunners became the first team to go unbeaten in the Premier League era in the 2003/04 season, winning 26 and drawing 12 of their 38 matches.
Ferguson and Wenger are known as two of the greatest managers ever and faced off in a number of high-profile, fiery clashes. However, the Scotsman, who spoke after being honoured by the Premier League, actually revealed they have a good relationship and often meet up for dinner.
"I'm truly delighted to be inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame," Ferguson said. "It's an honour when you receive recognition like this. However, it's not just about me as a person. It’s about the job at Manchester United and the bond we had over many years, so I'm also proud for the club, the staff and my players.
"My job was to send the fans home happy. United's history and my own expectations were the things that drove me, and I then had to try to develop all my players with the same expectations and make sure we could go out and achieve them.
"I feel Arsene is a very worthy inductee as he transformed Arsenal Football Club fantastically. They became a tough team to compete with and we both wanted to win, which motivated us further. Through the years since retirement, we’d go for dinner together in a little restaurant he knows well in Switzerland. He is a really interesting man and I enjoy his company, but it is still my job to pick the wine!"
Wenger also delivered his reaction to winning the award and admitted he is "grateful" to have been selected. As for his relationship with Ferguson, the Frenchman spoke glowingly of the ex-United boss.
"I am very grateful to have been selected for the Premier League Hall of Fame," Wenger said. "We always wanted to give something special to the fans and when you have players capable of remarkable things, the most important thing for me is the obligation of perfection.
"I'd like to be known as someone who loved Arsenal, who respected the values of the club and left it in a position where it can grow and become even bigger.
"To share this with Sir Alex is a great honour for me. It's like two boxers, you fight like mad and go the distance together. At the end of the day, you have respect and it will be a great opportunity to meet with him, share a good bottle of wine and memories of our old battles."
