Newcastle United manager, Eddie Howe, has revealed that his squad is fully prepared for today’s Champions League showdown against Jose Mourinho’s Benfica.
Howe’s only previous win against Mourinho came in December 2015, when his newly promoted Bournemouth side defeated Chelsea 1-0 at Stamford Bridge.
Despite this limited head-to-head success, Howe holds the Portuguese tactician in the highest regard.
Speaking ahead of the clash, Howe described Mourinho as one of football’s greatest managers, highlighting the “big impact” the former Chelsea, Manchester United, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid boss has had on him.
“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.”
