Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Ferguson motivates Wenger

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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits arguably his greatest motivation, but also pleasure, remains his enduring rivalry with Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Frenchman's duel with his Manchester United counterpart has scaled epic proportions over the last decade, with the pair frequently at each other's throats in the press.

"I believe it would be very difficult for him (Ferguson) to quit football, because it is an addiction when you stay in that sport so long," he told France Football.
"I am happy he has decided to go on. I am happy because I know against who I have to fight.
"I know I will face a Manchester United team difficult to defeat.
"I will miss our rivalry if he would leave. I don't believe there is another rivalry comparable to ours in English football.
"Our mental duels keep me awake. His only weakness is to believe he has no weakness. Football is dear to his heart."
The Frenchman also went on to reveal that his relationship with his eternal rival is not as tense as some would like to believe, with the pair sharing many more than civil meetings over the years.
"When we meet sometimes in an airport or Uefa meetings we don't fight!
Those meetings are even funny," he continued. "When there is no match, we have exciting talks about football.
"There is no bitterness in our relationship. I don't know the man, but I respect the coach."