Conte stirs Mourinho feud with handshake snub

LONDON: Chelsea manager Antonio Conte stirred up his feud with Jose Mourinho by ignoring the Manchester United boss at the end of his side’s vital 1-0 victory on Sunday.

Conte and Mourinho have traded barbs on several occasions this season and only this week the Italian claimed it was a miracle Chelsea managed to win the Premier League last season given the mess he inherited from Mourinho.

The United manager, twice sacked by Chelsea despite winning the English title three times, had irked Conte by criticising his habit of complaining about injuries this season.

Conte responded to that jibe by telling Mourinho to stop talking about his former club.

And, after Alvaro Morata’s 55th minute header handed Mourinho a third successive defeat at Stamford Bridge, there was no sign of a thaw in the relationship.

Conte raced onto the pitch to celebrate with his players and fans instead of shaking hands with Mourinho, who waited on the touchline and spoke to several members of Chelsea’s coaching staff.

Asked about the incident, Conte hinted his lack of respect for Mourinho was behind the snub.

“It’s not important. It’s important to win the game. You have to have the respect on the pitch not outside the pitch,” Conte said.

Mourinho, who has in the past refused to shake hands with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, insisted he had done all he could to instigate a handshake with Conte.