Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
tom dutton, Dan Kilpatrick

Why Mourinho won't share a drink with Lampard after Tottenham face Chelsea

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has revealed he won't share a drink with Chelsea boss Frank Lampard after Sunday's crunch top-four clash between the sides.

Mourinho won three Premier League crowns across two spells at Stamford Bridge, with then Chelsea midfielder Lampard playing a key role in the Portuguese' success in west London.

The pair have maintained a close relationship, and Lampard said on Friday he has "huge respect" for the 56-year-old but does not want to be a "clone" of him.

The Spurs boss said he would "always love" Lampard but revealed that a hug, rather than a post-match drink, was the only hospitality his opposite number could expect this weekend.

"I don't think [we will have a drink] because our stadium is built in the way that our office is completely on the inside our private headquarters," Mourinho said.

"Until now I didn't invite any managers to go there and I don't think I'll do that with Frank. But a big hug before the game and another after the game, that's for sure independent of results and who is happy.

"I think our feelings will be forever. I'll always be grateful to him for what he gave me as a player. Nothing is going to change that. I love the guy, I will always love the guy. I hope he loses on Sunday."

The pair met as managers when Lampard took his Derby side to Old Trafford last season, but this fixure will have added spice as Mourinho's Spurs can leapfrog their London rivals with victory.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.