Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has disclosed that his team is ready to face Jose Mourinho’s Benfica in today’s Champions League clash.
Howe’s first encounter with the then Chelsea manager came when his newly promoted Cherries won 1-0 at Stamford Bridge in December 2015, although that remains his only victory against Mourinho.
Howe rates Mourinho as one of the greatest managers of all time, noting that the former Chelsea, Manchester United, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid boss left a “big impact” on him, as the Toons prepare to battle Benfica.
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“He is someone I hugely admire, having come up against him before in the Premier League. As a younger coach, I really admired the teams he built at Chelsea, in particular,” Howe told reporters.
“He is definitely a visionary – someone that broke the mould in terms of how you manage and the different ways to do things, and then following his success through different clubs, leagues.
“Incredible, really, what he’s achieved in his career. It’s always a great opportunity for any club to go up against one of his teams. I’m looking forward to the challenge immensely and I think it’s going to be a great game.”
