Arsene Wenger apologised for the lack of pre-match fireworks with Sir Alex Ferguson ahead of tomorrow's Champions League semi-final - but promised Arsenal and Manchester United would make up for it on the pitch.
After years of bickering, scrapping and the occasional food fight, it seems genuine peace now exists between the Barclays Premier League's two most experienced managers.
Whether the ceasefire can last the duration of what promises to be a titanic battle to reach Rome on May 27 remains to be seen. For now, it seems Wenger and his old rival are content to let their teams do the talking.
"I am sorry you were disappointed," said Wenger, when quizzed at how a previously fractious relationship had mustered not so much as a crossed word since the semi-final pairing was confirmed a fortnight ago.
"I do believe we have better relations now than before. But it is not what happens in the press conference that counts, but how positive the attitude of the teams will be on the pitch."
While 'pizzagate' and the Highbury tunnel confrontation between Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane remain the most memorable clashes, Wenger and Ferguson have never been shy in defending their corners.
Wenger once famously retorted that he would "never speak about that man again", so furious did he become at Ferguson's conduct, although the vow lasted about two weeks.
Yet now the pair share the same stage for question-and-answer sessions. They also shook hands before Arsenal's win over Middlesbrough on Sunday, another sign of the old defences crumbling away.
"I don't know why it has happened," admitted Wenger.
"We are survivors, so there is respect there.
"When you have been in this job for a long time you realise everybody has to go through different times."
It has been suggested the rivalry has been diluted somewhat mainly because Ferguson no longer views Wenger's team as a threat to his own.
The Frenchman cannot offer an opinion on that, although there can be few more intense situations than the one that exists right now and neither man has thrown any bait out hoping to snare a catch.
Indeed, conciliation seems to be the order of the day, with Wenger stepping into the row over Ryan Giggs' PFA Player of the Year award.
It is the first time Giggs has been handed the crown, even though he is on the brink of an unprecedented 11th title.
The controversy, such as it is, is due to the veteran Welshman's relative lack of Premier League appearances this term.
However, Wenger does not see the problem.
"I like Ryan Giggs a lot," revealed Wenger.
"He started his career in 1991 and now we are in 2009.
"When a player has spent 18 years at that level you have to have complete respect because you know what it demands. It takes sacrifices and focus. To spend so long at the top level is massive.
"He was named player of the year on Sunday and there has been this big debate about this not being the best year of his career.
"But the miracle is not that he got it this year but that he did not get it before now."
Whether the ceasefire can last the duration of what promises to be a titanic battle to reach Rome on May 27 remains to be seen. For now, it seems Wenger and his old rival are content to let their teams do the talking.
"I am sorry you were disappointed," said Wenger, when quizzed at how a previously fractious relationship had mustered not so much as a crossed word since the semi-final pairing was confirmed a fortnight ago.
"I do believe we have better relations now than before. But it is not what happens in the press conference that counts, but how positive the attitude of the teams will be on the pitch."
While 'pizzagate' and the Highbury tunnel confrontation between Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane remain the most memorable clashes, Wenger and Ferguson have never been shy in defending their corners.
Wenger once famously retorted that he would "never speak about that man again", so furious did he become at Ferguson's conduct, although the vow lasted about two weeks.
Yet now the pair share the same stage for question-and-answer sessions. They also shook hands before Arsenal's win over Middlesbrough on Sunday, another sign of the old defences crumbling away.
"I don't know why it has happened," admitted Wenger.
"We are survivors, so there is respect there.
"When you have been in this job for a long time you realise everybody has to go through different times."
It has been suggested the rivalry has been diluted somewhat mainly because Ferguson no longer views Wenger's team as a threat to his own.
The Frenchman cannot offer an opinion on that, although there can be few more intense situations than the one that exists right now and neither man has thrown any bait out hoping to snare a catch.
Indeed, conciliation seems to be the order of the day, with Wenger stepping into the row over Ryan Giggs' PFA Player of the Year award.
It is the first time Giggs has been handed the crown, even though he is on the brink of an unprecedented 11th title.
The controversy, such as it is, is due to the veteran Welshman's relative lack of Premier League appearances this term.
However, Wenger does not see the problem.
"I like Ryan Giggs a lot," revealed Wenger.
"He started his career in 1991 and now we are in 2009.
"When a player has spent 18 years at that level you have to have complete respect because you know what it demands. It takes sacrifices and focus. To spend so long at the top level is massive.
"He was named player of the year on Sunday and there has been this big debate about this not being the best year of his career.
"But the miracle is not that he got it this year but that he did not get it before now."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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