Eto’o is fortunate to have worked under the tutelage of two of the very best coaches, who have defined modern football with their contrasting styles.
Firstly, the former striker worked with Guardiola during his latter days in Barcelona. The duo had their issues as the Spanish coach famously wanted to drop Eto’o out of the team but the Cameroonian fought his way to help the Blaugrana secure their first treble in the 2008/2009 season.
Eto’o eventually left Catalonia at the end of the season to join Mourinho’s Inter Milan in a trade offer in which Zlatan Ibrahimovic went to Barcelona.
The former Real Mallorca man got his second consecutive treble with the Nerazzurri and also defeated Guardiola’s Barcelona in the semi-final of the Champions League en route to hoisting the cup.
Eto’o and Mourinho’s path crossed again when the latter took over the reins at Stamford Bridge for his second tenure.
In a wide-range interview with SPORTbible, Eto’o discussed his relationships with Mourinho and Guardiola and insisted he will choose the current Tottenham Hotspur manager over the former Bayern Munich boss.
“I am more friends with Jose Mourinho’s style,” Eto’o explained in an interview with SPORTbible. “It’s a question of style, they each have their own way, I prefer Jose Mourinho.
“However, Pep is a top top coach, so I don’t think you can make a decision, but I can tell you that there is no other coach, no other manager, who will get to motivate his players as much as Jose Mourinho does, for me the treble with Jose is the special one.
“Now there are more coaches with their own style. Yet, in terms of motivating and getting the most out of their players, that is Jose Mourinho.”
