Ranking the Top 5 greatest players to have played under both Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola Speaking about rivalries in football, we often speak about clubs and players but one such rivalry among mangers is of Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho. Both are the revolutionaries in this modern era as both of them have led their sides to achieve astronomical feats in their years of managerial experience.

 Playing under both these managers is an exceptional and rare opportunity and some of the below-mentioned players have been lucky to feature for both of them. Among a pool of players, here are the top five players to have played under both Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho.

5 Kevin De Bruyne

Chelsea and Manchester city

Forever the one that got away for Mourinho.

Every manager has made some questionable transfer decisions in their time, but allowing a young De Bruyne to leave Stamford Bridge in January 2014 ranks as one of his worst. The Belgian was sold to Bundesliga side Wolfsburg with only five Chelsea starts under his belt, and, following a spectacular year-and-a-half in Germany, he returned to the Premier League with Manchester City. 

During his first season at the Etihad, De Bruyne dazzled; since Guardiola’s arrival, he has become arguably the best midfielder in Europe. He has the weapons in his arsenal to dismantle any defence, featuring one of the most glorious passing ranges that the top flight has ever seen. 

4 Arjen Robben

Chelsea and Bayern Munich 

Arjen Robben spent a hugely successful two year spell at Chelsea under Jose Mourinho, winning back-to-back Premier League titles. He enjoyed similar success at Bayern Munich under Pep Guardiola.

3 Xabi Alonso

Real Madrid and Bayern Munich 

At Bayern, we played 90 minutes in the opposition half. I did not have to cover so much ground, I kept my position and made smaller efforts. In the last years, it was very good for me. And I learned so much. It was very enriching.” – “Most of Pep’s teams try to attack in a small space, and to defend in a bigger space. 

That’s the difficult part of football. People tend to think of Pep as just focusing on attacking, but I say it’s the opposite. He thinks more about defence. I’ve seen footage of Sergio Aguero running back, David Silva pressing, and I’m sure he’s changing that mentality and intensity at City.” “[Mourinho] is 100 per cent competitive and wants to win.

 He squeezes out what he doesn’t like to get what he wants.” – “[At Real] There were phases of the game when we were not dominant, but we were in control. For example, there was a feeling that every corner against us was a chance for us. When we countered… with Mesut, who seemed weak but could carry the ball 30 yards brutally, Cristiano ran up the opposite side knowing that he would get the ball at the end of the move.”

2 Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Inter Milan, Barcelona and Manchester United 

It's astounding to think that Inter parted company with £59m and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in order to secure the services of Samuel Eto'o. But that is exactly what happened back in 2009, in a move that saw Zlatan join Pep at the Nou Camp . The two failed to get on though, with Zlatan moving across the Milan divide after just one season. 

Their fractious relationship is detailed heavily in Zlatan's autobiography. A match made in heaven, Jose and Zlatan have enjoyed each others company at both Inter and Manchester United. The mercurial Swede suits Jose's style of play to a tee, and has enjoyed great success under Mourinho, winning the Serie A with Inter and Europa League at Old Trafford.

1 Samuel Eto'o

Barcelona and Chelsea 

Eto had the best goal-scoring career at Barcelona where he scored a 108 goals in 145 games. In his period at Barcelona he worked with Pep Guardiola - though the pair fell out together which forced the Cameroonian to move to Jose Mourinho managed Inter Milan. 

The Cameroonian played under Jose Mourinho both at Inter Milan and at Chelsea. Eto enjoyed another amazing goal-scoring career at Inter Milan where he scored 33 goals in 67 matches.

Real Madrid: Ranking 5 superstar free agents Los Blancos can sign in 2022

The 2022 summer transfer window is certainly going to be an exciting one, especially for Real Madrid fans. Los Blancos have not had a big transfer window since the 2019 summer but could land several big names next year to bolster the squad.

I have made a list of five possible free agents that Real Madrid could target next summer and sign them for free. The following players have been ranked regarding the importance and value they would bring to the team if they were signed in 2022. Let’s have a look at some of the names on the list.

PEDRI- BARCELONA 

Like Fati, Barcelona are at risk of losing another ridiculous young talent with Pedri, one of the stars of the Euros, also out of contract with no shortage of admirers.

LEON GORETZKA - BAYERN MUNICH 

Bayern will be eager to keep hold of Goretzka, who has blossomed into a fine central midfielder and amateur bodybuilder over the past few years.

But competition for places at the German juggernaut is perennially intense and, although Goretzka was a first-team regular last season, the Germany international’s future at the club remains uncertain.

PAULO DYBALA- JUVENTUS

After six trophy-laden years, it will not be a surprise to see the 27-year-old swap jerseys and prefer a move elsewhere if he opts to finish his current contract, which ends next year. He would be looking for a spot where he can have a much more prominent role facilitating the attack. Still in his prime, he can be a valuable addition to several top teams especially if they can bring out his best.

ANTONIO RUDIGER – CHELSEA

Real Madrid Chelsea are keeping tabs on the star Antonio Rudiger According to astonishing reports, his potential move in 2022 is ahead.

Rudiger has started in all seven Premier League games for Chelsea in Tudu as Thomas Tuchel’s men sit at the table. The 28-year-old has established himself as a crucial first-team player under German center-back Tuchel, who sees Rudiger in his long-term plans at Chelsea. However, the Spanish newspaper ABC Madrid is reporting that Rudiger is monitoring the situation and will take action if he fails to sign a new contract.

PAUL POGBA – MANCHESTER UNITED

On his day, Paul Pogba is arguably the world’s best attacking midfielder, becoming a crucial member of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United team. His importance to United is so great that Solskjaer has even taken to playing him out of position on the wing just to get him into the starting line-up. Pogba has already notched seven assists in seven Premier League games so far this season, including four in the hammering of Leeds on the opening day of the season. But the Frenchman has long agitated for a departure from Old Trafford and it appears unlikely he will sign a new deal with the Red Devils.

KYLIAN MBAPPE – PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN

All the noise coming out of Paris Saint-Germain suggests that Kylian Mbappe will not be extending his deal. Expect a transfer tug of war the likes of which he have never seen before over the coming months. It's anyone's guess who will win. If we had to guess we'd say Real Madrid with end up scooping the generational talent.