Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has lauded José Mourinho as one of football's all-time greats, ahead of their Champions League clash. Howe's Newcastle is set to face Mourinho's Benfica at St. James' Park.

Howe acknowledged Mourinho's significant impact on the game, highlighting his trophy-laden career. Mourinho, currently managing Benfica, has won league titles in four countries and is the only manager to have won all three current UEFA club competitions. His managerial achievements include multiple Premier League titles, League Cups, an FA Cup, and the Europa League with Chelsea and Manchester United. In 2025, Mourinho returned to Benfica as head coach.

"I think you have to," Howe responded when asked if Mourinho should be considered one of the all-time greats. "Look what he did. I'm not just saying that because we are playing them tomorrow, I genuinely believe it. The impact he made initially was incredible, really. He had an aura around him and his teams. His teams were always very difficult to beat".

Howe admitted that he observed Mourinho's teams early in his own managerial career, drawing inspiration from his tactical approaches. "I remember watching his teams in my very early days as a head coach, when I was looking to mould the way I wanted to play and what I was thinking about coaching-wise, he had a big impact," Howe said.

Despite Mourinho's past connections with Newcastle through his relationship with Sir Bobby Robson, St. James' Park hasn't always been a happy ground for him. In 12 visits across all competitions with Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham, Mourinho has only secured three wins, alongside five defeats and four draws.

Howe recalled his first encounter with Mourinho fondly, when his Bournemouth side secured a 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge in December 2015. That win remains Howe's only victory against Mourinho.

Newcastle United's form has been inconsistent this season, with Howe describing their start as "frustrating". The team has had mixed results in both the Premier League and Champions League. Howe's managerial record at Newcastle includes guiding them to an eleventh-place finish in the Premier League and reaching the EFL Cup final in 2023. In 2025, Howe delivered Newcastle's first major domestic trophy in 70 years by winning the EFL Cup.

Mourinho's career has seen him manage some of Europe's biggest clubs, including Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Roma, and Fenerbahçe before his current role at Benfica. He was sacked from Fenerbahçe in August 2025 after failing to qualify for the Champions League.

Despite his recent move to Benfica, there were reports of Mourinho expressing interest in the Newcastle United job, should Eddie Howe leave. These reports surfaced while he was managing Fenerbahce. However, sources within Newcastle United have indicated their unwavering support for Eddie Howe. Howe was appointed as Newcastle United's manager in November 2021.