Los 40 USA
Sign in to commentAPP
spainSPAINchileCHILEcolombiaCOLOMBIAusaUSAmexicoMEXICOlatin usaLATIN USAamericaAMERICA

Premier League

Mourinho, not Guardiola, is world's best coach – Karanka

Aitor Karanka has no doubt who the world's best coach is, picking Jose Mourinho ahead of Pep Guardiola.

Update:
Karanka y Pep Guardiola

Jose Mourinho is the world's best coach, not Pep Guardiola, according to Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka.

Aitor Karanka, manager of Middlesbrough, has a clear view on his Premier League peers.
Full screen
Aitor Karanka, manager of Middlesbrough, has a clear view on his Premier League peers.Jan KrugerGetty Images

New Premier League arrivals compared

Mourinho and Guardiola arrived in Manchester ahead of this season, appointed at United and City, respectively. Karanka, whose team face City in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, believes United picked up the better tactician.

"Pep is not the best coach in the world. The best coach in the world is Jose Mourinho," he told UK newspapers. "He has shown it at Porto, at Inter Milan, Chelsea and Real Madrid and Manchester United. He was the best [in LaLiga] and he still is the best.

"I've never worked with Pep, but Jose started this season with some criticism, but he has already won two trophies for Man United. Jose is the best for me. I think Pep has to win the Premier League to prove [he is one of the best]. I think he has to win a trophy [this season]."

Bayern Munich's Pep Guardiola and Xabi Alonso doing that winning stuff thing.
Full screen
Bayern Munich's Pep Guardiola and Xabi Alonso doing that winning stuff thing.MICHAEL DALDERREUTERS

Two trophies amid criticism for Mourinho

Mourinho has led United to Community Shield and EFL Cup success this season, while they are still in contention for the Europa League and FA Cup. City are in the hunt for the FA Cup and Champions League, with Antonio Conte's Chelsea flying high atop the Premier League. And Karanka believes Guardiola, who had trophy-laden spells at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, has taken time to adjust in England.

Jose Mourinho is building a squad with players like Paul Pogba.
Full screen
Jose Mourinho is building a squad with players like Paul Pogba.ALEXANDER NEMENOVAFP

"I think he's realised that this is a different football, a different league, and he has grasped how difficult the challenge is. It's taking him time to adapt and it's not been easy for him," he said.

"It's difficult when you arrive in a new country, with a new philosophy where a lot of things are different. He has some very good players, but the mentality here is different. Things are different and it takes time to adjust."

Semi-final of the FA Cup between: Chelsea vs Manchester United