Former Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson declined to shake his hand after a tense 2013 FA Cup quarter-final.
The relationship between the two managers had always been strained, a tension rooted deeply in Benitez's tumultuous time at Liverpool.
There has always been tension between the two managers
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There has always been tension between the two managersCredit: Getty
Leading up to the 2013 FA Cup clash between Man United and Chelsea, Ferguson had called Benitez a 'lucky manager' after his interim appointment at Stamford Bridge in 2012.
The tension culminated in their failure to shake hands after Chelsea's impressive comeback to draw from 2-0 down, thanks to goals from substitute Eden Hazard and Ramires in a thrilling second half.
Benitez recalled: "I was waiting for him at the beginning, so you should ask him. I have an education. I was ready. I know a lot of people were watching, and I knew what to do."
He continued: "It's up to him. I was in the way waiting. If you are brave enough, ask him."
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Despite this lingering animosity, their history hadn’t always been so fraught.
In 1999, after parting ways with Extremadura, Benitez and his assistant, Pako Ayesteran, had the opportunity to spend a week at Manchester United's Carrington training ground, observing and soaking in knowledge from Ferguson and his assistant, Steve McClaren.
This friendly phase extended into Benitez’s time as Liverpool manager, where Ferguson even sat beside him on a flight to Geneva, engaging in heartfelt discussions about football, business, and of course, good wine.
When Liverpool triumphed in the Champions League, Ferguson graciously sent Benitez a congratulatory letter, along with an insightful tactical analysis of the match.
"He can teach me more than I can teach him," Benitez said at the time.
However, the relationship soured in January 2009, when Benitez famously alleged that Ferguson received preferential treatment from football authorities.
Before the 2013 FA Cup, Ferguson labelled Benitez a 'lucky manager'
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Before the 2013 FA Cup, Ferguson labelled Benitez a 'lucky manager'Credit: Getty
"Everyone can see that I'm talking about facts," Benitez told journalists.
"I'm just saying things that everybody can see."
Ferguson addressed the rivalry in his 2013 autobiography, insisting Benitez was foolish to take it so far.
“The mistake he [Benitez] made was to turn our rivalry personal,” explained the 13-time Premier League winner.
“Once you made it personal, you had no chance, because I could wait. I had success on my side.
"Benitez was striving for trophies while also taking me on. That was unwise.”
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