Mourinho is a visionary - Howe

Newcastle head Eddie Howe says Benfica leader Jose Mourinho is simply a "visionary" arsenic they hole to meet successful nan Champions League.

Howe goes head-to-head pinch nan two-time victor of nan title connected nan touchline successful a group crippled astatine St James' Park connected Tuesday.

He rates Mourinho arsenic 1 of nan top managers of each clip aft nan erstwhile Chelsea, Manchester United, Inter Milan and Real Madrid leader near a "big impact" connected him.

"He is personification I hugely admire, having travel up against him earlier successful nan Premier League," Howe said.

"As a younger coach, I really admired nan teams he built astatine Chelsea, successful particular.

"He is decidedly a visionary - personification that collapsed nan mould successful position of really you negociate and nan different ways to do things, and past pursuing his occurrence done different clubs, leagues. Incredible, really, what he's achieved successful his career.

"It's ever a awesome opportunity for immoderate nine to spell up against 1 of his teams. I'm looking guardant to nan situation immensely and I deliberation it's going to beryllium a awesome game."

Mourinho considers himself "a small Magpie" connected relationship of his enslaved pinch erstwhile Newcastle head Sir Bobby Robson.

The Portuguese shadowed Sir Bobby astatine Sporting Lisbon, Porto and Barcelona arsenic an expert and adjunct successful nan 1990s.

Mourinho has spoken glowingly astir Newcastle complete nan years and said he "loved" nan nine earlier this game.

"I person heard Jose's words astir Newcastle and I perfectly echo them myself," Howe said.

"They are awesome words astir Sir Bobby and nan domiciled he played successful his career. That's really bully to hear, but nan statement stops tomorrow.

"When nan crippled kicks off, we want to win. We are hopeless for nan points. It will beryllium a competitory crippled betwixt 2 awesome clubs."

Newcastle mislaid 2-1 to Brighton successful nan Premier League connected Saturday and will tally a precocious cheque connected influential midfielder Sandro Tonali, who is suffering from illness.

"We will springiness him each opportunity," Howe said. "He wasn't location astatine training coming and he's specified an important player, truthful we will usage each nan hours we have."

Mourinho says Newcastle are "even person to bigger things" aft Howe ended nan club's agelong hold for silverware past season.

Newcastle won a awesome home trophy for nan first clip successful 70 years successful March pinch a 2-1 triumph against Liverpool successful nan Carabao Cup final.

Howe's broadside presently dishonesty 13th successful nan Premier League, but Mourinho warned reporters "not to beryllium fooled by their position".

The Benfica head has alternatively predicted they are "even person to bigger things" successful nan years to come.

"I cognize what Newcastle and each nan Geordies want is bigger than nan League Cup, but it's nan beginning," he said. "To play successful nan Champions League is different very important measurement and I deliberation nan nine goes successful nan correct direction.

"Many clubs pinch caller owners and caller money make tons of incorrect decisions pinch tons of ups and downs. Newcastle, since nan infinitesimal they person nan caller ownership, Eddie [Howe], they change sporting directors for evident reasons, but tons of stability.

"With nan floor plan of players, I ne'er spot a subordinate that Newcastle get that doesn't fresh nan model. They do things really well. That's why they are wherever they are. I congratulate Eddie, nan nine and nan fans."