RB Leipzig manager Julian Nagelsmann comments on Tottenham and Jose Mourinho

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Julian Nagelsmann is preparing his RB Leizpig side to face Tottenham in the Champions League this month, where he will face Jose Mourinho.

He told the Independent he has been compared with Mourinho in the past – and enjoys it – seemingly looking forward to facing the Portuguese.

Nagelsmann said: “It’s around six years ago now Tim Wiese called me ‘Mini Mourinho’. We don’t have the same philosophy, but I don’t think it’s the worst thing in the world to have a nickname associated with Mourinho.

“He has managed so many knockout games and knows what to do if his team goes ahead, behind, concedes early, needs a late goal. I love his press conferences.”

TBR’s View – Spurs must hope Mourinho’s experience can trump Nagelsmann’s more modern approach

There has been a suspicion growing during Mourinho’s failed spells at Chelsea and Manchester United – his last two jobs – that he is yesterday’s man, that his methods no longer work at the top of the game.

By contrast, Nagelsmann is at the forefront of the new breed of managers adopting a pressing, front foot, high-tempo philosophy which may have left Mourinho behind.

But as the German says, Mourinho has the far greater experience of knockout matches under the highest pressure and Spurs must hope that can win out over two legs when the heat is on.