Maradona a fan of Mourinho

Argentina coach Diego Maradona has expressed his admiration for new Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho but insists he would never be tempted to copy the Portuguese's defensive tactics. Maradona and former Chelsea and Inter boss Mourinho share similar...

Argentina coach Diego Maradona has expressed his admiration for new Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho but insists he would never be tempted to copy the Portuguese's defensive tactics.

Maradona and former Chelsea and Inter boss Mourinho share similar character traits, the obvious one being they are both mavericks who enjoy stealing the limelight at every opportunity.

"I like Mourinho a lot (as a coach)," said Maradona.

"On top of that, the way he received me, we spent hours talking about football, attacking and defensive tactics.

"He seemed to me a guy to take to your bedside table and ask him each time you need something. I've got his phone number, I might call him."

But the admiration will not progress to duplication as Maradona revealed he would not be adopting the safety-first game plan which saw 10-man Inter overcome Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final.

"No, not that," Maradona added.

"But it worked for him, right? He won the Champions League."

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