‘Failed To Win Champions League…’ When Samuel Eto’o Settled Mourinho vs Guardiola Debate

Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho are often considered the two best coaches of this generation. Mourinho vs Guardiola is a debate that rages very often in footballing circles. They both have the claim for the best manager of all time tag as well. Very few players had the privilege of playing under both coaches. Samuel Eto’O is a name on the list of players who played for both decorated coaches. The Cameroonian international, widely regarded as one of the best strikers ever, won accolades with both coaches as well. However, when it comes to picking his Samuel Eto favourite manager, he made his choice without beating around the bush. Being the best manager in the Champions League was one of the criteria.

Find out who is Samuel Eto favorite manager from the Mourinho vs Guardiola rivalry and more.

What Samuel Eto’o Said About Jose Mourinho & Pep Guardiola?

Samuel Eto’o played for Barcelona under Guardiola and at Inter Milan and Chelsea for Mourinho. Having experienced both coaching styles and achieving success, there was no hesitation in picking Samuel Eto favorite manager.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, the striker with four league titles and as many Champions League titles explained his take on the Mourinho vs Guardiola debate in depth.

He picked Mourinho as his favourite for the best manager of all time tag. He explained, "I cannot compare Jose Mourinho to Pep Guardiola. One of them failed to win the UEFA Champions League with FC Bayern Munich, the other won it with FC Porto”.

His choice was also well backed by his personal experience. He appreciated both coaches’ hunger to win, but was also aware of the different paths they tend to take. He added, For me, football is feeling like you're in a theatre, and seeing tiki-taka, passing the ball, it's not the only way to win, but it's special. It's Pep's way."

He credited Mourinho for his upfront nature and how he elevates players with personal care. He's a person who's upfront, and when he doesn't like something, he tells you. We both have strong temperaments, and we understood each other well. He's one of the best people I have found in football

"People try to present him as controversial, but it's a lie. What happens is that life and football are hypocritical, and they prefer that to having honest people. Mou is a top guy, and he cares about winning more than anything else”.

He pretty clearly gave away Samuel Eto favorite manager in the Mourinho vs Guardiola rivalry.

Mourinho vs Guardiola: How Both Managers Have Fared in the Champions League?

To be crowned as the best football manager of all time, being the best manager in the Champions League is a must. The Champions League is often considered the holy grail of club football. Let us see how the Mourinho vs Guardiola rivalry fares in this regard.

Jose Mourinho burst onto the world scene when his Porto side won the big ol ears in 2004. It was such an underdog story that every club in the world wanted to get Mourinho on board. Chelsea were the lucky club to get his signature, as he helped them dominate England soon. He went to Inter Milan after Chelsea and sealed a historic treble in 2010. His Inter Milan side were one of the best in the tournament’s history. However, despite having two Champions League crowns, he failed to win the title with Real Madrid and Chelsea.

Guardiola, meanwhile, was a freak of nature. He was a football purist who was obsessed with winning. He won two Champions League titles with Barcelona in 2009 and 2011. Combined with his exploits in the league, he was already regarded as the best football manager in the world.

After Barcelona, Guardiola went to Bavaria to coach Bayern Munich. The Spaniard dominated the league but failed to win the Champions League with them. The accusations of Pep not winning in Europe without Lionel Messi started to emerge. Guardiola then moved to Manchester City and started an undisputed era of domination. However, Manchester City inexplicably faltered in crucial stages of the Champions League. The final loss in 2021 made everyone believe that Guardiola was cursed to not lift the title again. But the Spaniard turned the world upside down as he led his City side to a first Champions League crown in 2023. I

It took Pep ahead of Mourinho in the best Champions League manager of all time list. However, a few would argue that Mourinho’s ability to win the tournament with an underdog like Porto can never be replicated by Pep Guardiola, who often fell short with the super teams of Bayern Munich and Manchester City.

So we know Samuel Eto favourite manager from the Mourinho vs Guardiola rivalry. Who is your pick of the pair?