---
title: "Carlo Ancelotti takes pride in Jose Mourinho comparison"
canonical: "https://readeverton.com/carlo-ancelotti-honour-jose-mourinho-comparison/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Alex Jones"
section: "Everton News"
published: "2021-02-10T12:30:00Z"
modified: "2021-02-10T12:30:00Z"
---

# Carlo Ancelotti takes pride in Jose Mourinho comparison

Ahead of [Everton’s FA Cup clash](https://readeverton.com/2021/02/10/everton-predicted-xi-tottenham-fa-cup/) against Tottenham tonight, Toffees manager [Carlo Ancelotti](https://readeverton.com/2021/02/08/alan-hutton-questions-carlo-ancelotti-stance-on-josh-king/) has declared it ‘an honour’ to be compared with his opposite number [Jose Mourinho](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tottenham-transfer-rumours/tottenham-hotspur-jose-mourinho-refuses-to-rule-out-january-action-for-spurs/).

Both men have [enjoyed fruitful careers in management](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11671/12213468/carlo-ancelotti-everton-boss-honoured-to-be-compared-to-jose-mourinho) laden with a wealth of trophies and [lock horns for the eighth time](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/carlo-ancelotti/leistungsdatenDetail/trainer/523/trainer_id/781) tonight.

With both men having seen success across four domestic leagues, Ancelotti’s [three Champions League titles](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/carlo-ancelotti/erfolge/trainer/523) outranks [Mourinho’s two](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jose-mourinho/erfolge/trainer/781), although the Portuguese holds [twice as many domestic league titles](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jose-mourinho/erfolge/trainer/781).

Ancelotti believes that a comparison with the Spurs boss in terms of philosophies and playing styles is apt, but did not want too much attention to be paid to it. In comments relayed by [Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11671/12213468/carlo-ancelotti-everton-boss-honoured-to-be-compared-to-jose-mourinho), the Italian said:

> It is an honour for me to be compared to Jose but we didn’t talk too much about this.

> He is focused defensively and offensively like I am. Mourinho’s teams are always in balance, which means they do a good job defensively and offensively.

> I don’t know if it is a new style of football but for me to be compared to his style of football is an honour.

### Read Everton Verdict

The balance between attack and defence is an integral part of Ancelotti’s approach by his own admission, only further legitimising the comments.

With Ancelotti’s Everton edging a [1-0 win](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54045208) over Spurs on the opening weekend of the season when the managers last met, expect tonight’s FA Cup clash to prove another close-run affair between two illustrious tacticians.