• Premier League

Mourinho full of praise for Magath

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says Fulham boss Felix Magath has one of the best CVs in the Premier League, while adding that he respects the German greatly.

Magath's second game in charge of the Cottagers sees them welcome Chelsea on Saturday, having recorded a 1-1 draw at West Bromwich Albion last week.

Ahead of the west London derby, Mourinho was asked about his opposite number's controversial training methods, to which he replied he is more concerned about his record as a manager.

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Magath opens his Fulham account against west London rivals Chelsea on Saturday © PA Photos

• Fulham are praying their third manager of the season Felix Magath works his magic to fend off relegation, beginning against Chelsea.
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"I know him from what he was as a player, and as a coach after that," Mourinho said. "But not personally.

"I don't know his training methods. I just know his CV. And the CV is one of the best CVs of the 20 managers now in the Premier League. I try to be pragmatic. Read the CV, and it's very clear. He has a reputation and a past, and I respect that."

Mourinho hit out once again at the notion that Chelsea are now favourites for the Premier League title because they are top of the league, pointing to the fact that Manchester City have played one game less.

"We are top of the table because Manchester City have one match in hand. If they win that match, we are not top of the table," he said.

The Portuguese also refused to comment on City boss Manuel Pellegrini's three-match Champions League ban - with one of those games suspended for two years - as well as Luke Shaw's call-up to the England squad, despite Chelsea's reported interest in the Southampton full-back.

Mourinho added that he did not need to explain the private comments made about his strikers - published by Canal Plus on the eve of Wednesday's 1-1 Champions League draw against Galatasaray -- to the Blues players in question.

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