Under-pressure Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has revealed his admiration for legendary Nottingham Forest manager Brian Clough - and believes there are similarities between them.
Writing in the foreword for a new book on Clough called I Believe in Miracles,Mourinho says that he sees a lot of similarities in himself and Clough.
He also revealed that during his time with Barcelona in 1996, he took a trip to Nottingham to see the place where Clough became a success - and was surprised about the small size of the location.
Mourinho said: "I walked all the way (around the city) and when I saw the stadium I thought: 'Are you kidding me - this club won the European Cup? Twice?'
"It was a nice stadium and a nice city, but it was a small place. It was the size of the stadium that really took me aback. Continue
"A small stadium, a small crowd - I looked around and tried to take it in."
Clough won back-to-back European Cups with Forest in 1979 and 1980. He also gained many neutral admirers with his wit and outspoken views.
Mourinho, who has also won the trophy twice, said: "A lot of people say we have similarities and there are certainly coincidences."
Mourinho admires the way Clough used to project himself in interviews and press conferences.
He said: "We all probably remember Clough's best quotes. 'I wouldn't say I am the best football manager there is,' he used to say, 'but I am in the top one.' I love that line.
"He had all that self- esteem and big self-belief. He was very confident about himself, and from what I know about him he was very comfortable with the attention.
"Maybe because Brian Clough was such a huge personality, with so much charisma, everyone remembers his quotes and the stories and a few people forget his talents.
"He didn't win two European Cups with Nottingham Forest just because of his charisma.
"History cannot delete what he and Nottingham Forest did - their results, the cups, the achievements, absolutely unbelievable achievements.
"I have huge respect for what they did. I think if Brian Clough was around today, we would get on."
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