Veteran manager Neil Warnock has lifted the lid on his long-standing relationship with Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho.
The pair have gone head-to-head a number of times in the Premier League with different teams, and appear to have great mutual respect for each other.
Warnock, now at Middlesbrough, discussed Mourinho at a press conference ahead of his side’s upcoming Championship match against Bournemouth on Friday.
And he revealed that he is not the only person in his family who has admiration for the Portuguese manager.
“I had two wonderful photographs sent to me and my wife Sharon and me and Jose,” Warnock said. “She loved Jose.
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“On the letter it said ‘Dear Sharon, please find enclosed two photographs of your two favourite handsome men.’ It was me and Jose. I thought she might have just crossed me out with a pen because he’s a good looking lad isn’t he.
“He might not be everybody’s cup of tea, but have a look at what he’s won. I’ve got a lot of time for him. He always texts me two or three times a year and I do the same. You just admire people like that.”
Warnock also defended Mourinho while he was in charge of Cardiff when the then-United boss smashed a bottle on the touchline while celebrating a goal for his side.
“Oh I loved it, me, I thought it were brilliant,” he told talkSPORT.
“He was just showing passion and that he cares. Listen, I’ve been a pundit I’ve been in the studio and you say what you want to say.
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“But let me tell you, it’s so different when you’re on that touchline and you’ve got to make the decisions.
“It’s so easy to criticise and get on the managers’ back.”
Mourinho is under pressure at Spurs following a largely disappointing season, and will be desperate to continue their pursuit of a place in the top four when they return to Premier League action to take on Newcastle this weekend.
