International Football UEFA invited coaches for annual forum

The long-standing spat between Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho is set to sizzle on for another season after the Arsenal coach refused to let his rival sit next to him at a UEFA conference.

The sworn enemies continue to clash on and off the pitch but this time the Portuguese is being perceived as the victim.

The Manchester United coach has found a calm atmosphere since he arrived in the northern city, which is helping to ease tensions and put a smile on his face.

Indeed, the 53-year-old was all smiles at Nyon when he greeted everyone, including the media, hugging UEFA employees and, of course, his professional colleagues.

He was the last to enter the room where Sir Alex Ferguson was waiting to give the welcome speech.

There were few empty seats but there was a space opposite Zinedine Zidane and Unai Emery so he asked if anyone was sitting there - the seats were not booked in advance.

"No, it isn't possible," was the surprise reply by none other than Arsene, without a moment's hesitation.

Some delegates laughed discretely while others stared into space pretending they had not heard a thing.

This is just the latest jibe in a war which has been rumbling on since 2004.

However it seems as though Mourinho has changed since his move to Old Trafford and is more amenable. He speaks to his players about the cinema, restaurants, cars and even football at times.

His appointment has not helped the former Real Madrid coach overcome his differences with Rafa Benitez but at least they are able to ignore each other when they are in the same room.

The Newcastle coach has been very active during the different talks in Switzerland but has managed to avoid any questions about his short-lived and unsuccessful time with Los Blancos.

By and large, these sessions, which UEFA has been organising for 18 years, are successful as they allow coaches to share ideas in very pleasant circumstances, including dinner overlooking Lake Geneva.

Ferguson is the ambassador who keeps the talks flowing - along with the odd glass of wine.

Most guests relish the chance to spend time with colleagues while others dread the invitation with some being higher up the pecking order than others.

Mourinho is well regarded along with the current Paris Saint-Germain coach, Benitez, Wenger, Mircea Lucescu and Rui Vitoria.

However the Real coach hesitated over accepting the invitation but decided to attend in the end following hints that the European champions could not pass it up.

He was reluctant to go because of his shyness but the Frenchman is a football man and answered UEFA's call unlike some others.

"It's their loss because the talk is interesting but the dinner is even better," said one of the coaches present.

They even get the chance to witness Wenger's latest snub, which could be seen as the icing on the cake.