Jose Mourinho and Andre Villas-Boas in war of words ahead of Chelsea-Tottenham clash

Jose Mourinho accused Andre Villas-Boas of behaving like a ‘kid’ after the Tottenham coach began a war of words between the pair - but conceded that Spurs are realistic title challengers this season.

The Tottenham manager scouted future opponents for Mourinho until quitting in October 2009 after a row over his ambition to become a coach.

The pair are best of enemies and Saturday lunchtime at White Hart Lane they go head to head for the first time since their split at Inter Milan.

The Chelsea manager responded after Villas-Boas claimed he would not lose any sleep following their high-profile dispute.

Mourinho said: ‘I am not a kid - if I have a problem with someone I go upstairs, we speak and we have lunch.

‘I miss my wife and kids when I came here at 7am – that’s it.’

The Chelsea chief attempted to rise above Villas-Boas’ criticism, but couldn’t resist a reminder of his standing in the game.

‘I have played a Champions League final against a manager who I greatly admire and respect (2010 v Bayern Munich) and I did it in a professional way.

‘If I am offered a glass of wine by a manager after a game I never refuse.’

However, the Stamford Bridge boss did admit that Tottenham will provide more of a challenge for the league title this season, despite the sale of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid.

Mourinho 'You win titles with squads, not with an especially good player, so Tottenham are bigger contenders than before.'

Villas-Boas said of the Chelsea manager: ‘We had a great personal and professional relationship before, but we don’t have that now. I won’t lose any sleep over it. Our break-up point was because I was full of ambition and wanted more involvement than scouting and match preparation.

‘I don’t think we need any explanation about friendship or personal relationships, but our relationship broke down.

‘We have mutual respect and we understand that what we have been through cannot just disappear, but it’s not like it was before. I don’t care about Chelsea, it’s not my responsibility.’

Villas-Boas arrived at Stamford Bridge with Mourinho after Porto’s 2004 triumph in the Champions League final against Monaco. He was noted at Chelsea for putting together detailed dossiers for Mourinho’s players ahead of each fixture. But Villas-Boas revealed that the relationship soured when he demanded more responsibility after they moved to Italy.

Mourinho refused to dilute the powers of conditioning coach Rui Faria to accommodate Villas-Boas as part of Inter’s matchday and coaching set-up.