Pellegrini v Mourinho - the new managerial battle?

Manuel Pellegrini is Jose Mourinho's latest adversary

Manuel Pellegrini and Jose Mourinho seem to be the next great managerial battle in the Premier League.

A fascinating sub-plot in this season's Premier League is likely to be the relationship between Manuel Pellegrini and Jose Mourinho.

Both are chasing the title; they have had words in the past and, as the season develops and the race to top the table heightens, so may the tension between them.

There is history to suggest this may occur. Before they were reunited in England last season, they faced each other in Spain. Pellegrini had been Mourinho's predecessor at Real Madrid before taking over at Malaga.

During Pellegrini's time in charge at the Bernabeu, in 2010, his team had amassed 96 points but had not won the title, finishing just behind Barcelona. On Mourinho's appointment he referred to the second place finish as "first loser" and added that if he were ever to leave Madrid he would go to a top club in England or Italy. He then succeeded where Pellegrini had "failed" and won the title in 2012.

During their time in Spain as managerial opponents the intensity was not quite there, with Malaga not being serious contenders for the La Liga title. But now they are reunited in England, the battle can re-commence and it has been given extra spark by the fact that both are almost certain to be in title contention towards the end of the season.

It began last term with Mourinho back for his second spell with Chelsea and Pellegrini newly appointed at City after Robert Mancini's reign came to an end. In the first game between the two sides Chelsea won 2-1 at Stamford Bridge, a last-minute goal from Fernando Torres giving the home side victory in a dramatic ending that had Mourinho surging into the crowd in celebration.

Pellegrini was angered by Mourinho's reaction to the goal and refused to shake hands with him after the game.

The return game at the Etihad was in February and City suffered their first home defeat of the season. Chelsea won 1-0 win through a goal after half an hour by Branislav Ivanovic which denied City the chance to return to the top of the table.

City won the title at the end of the season but Mourinho played mind games throughout, declaring that his side, even after the victory away at City, was a "little horse" in the title race. He said his "horse" still needed to drink milk and learn how to jump, but would be ready to race the following season.

He was ultimately correct in that Chelsea did fall away and finished third. Having refreshed the squad this summer however, the fans will expect the horse, not just to race but to win. That is why this season could see their rivalry intensify. Chelsea are now ready; the horse has grown up and Mourinho can no longer use that analogy to try and win the psychological battle.

Chelsea have started the new season well and are currently top of the table, they now have a goal threat that was missing last season, largely through the acquisition of Diego Costa. However, if they fail to win their first Premier League title since 2010, questions will be asked about Mourinho and possibly the wisdom of having returned to Stamford Bridge in the first place.

Most argue that City and Chelsea are the best two sides in this season's Premier League and, assuming the table reflects that in May, the battle between the two managers will be an intriguing sub-plot.

The first meeting this season, at the Etihad, finished in a 1-1 draw. By the next league meeting, at Stamford Bridge at the end of January, Mourinho will hope that his Chelsea side - who currently have a five-point cushion over City - will still be top and well placed to give their manager another victory over his old rival.