Mourinho admits Conte 'contempt' but wants end to feud
The pair's war of words began when Mourinho seemingly labelled some of his contemporaries – without naming any individuals – "clowns" for their behaviour on the touchline, to which Conte suggested the Portuguese coach was referring to himself.
Mourinho responded with another barb relating to the Italian's four-month ban for failing to report alleged match fixing – of which he was later acquitted – while at Siena in 2011, saying "what never happened to me and will never happen is to be suspended for match fixing".
Conte then branded the United boss a "little man" and Mourinho, while refraining from retaliating again, made his opinion of the Chelsea head coach clear.
#Chelsea boss Antonio Conte and #MUFC counterpart Jose Mourinho have become embroiled in a bitter war of words.
Is anybody in this saga really winning?
pic.twitter.com/pZ8VogODTO
— Omnisport (@OmnisportNews) January 7, 2018
Speaking at a news conference ahead of Monday's visit of Stoke City, he said: "I think when a person insults another you can expect a response, or you can expect contempt.
"The first time he insulted me I had response, a response that I know touched the point where he really feels hurt.
"Then he insults me for a second time, but now I change and now contempt [is there]. And for me, contempt means end of the story."