Friday 9 December 2016 14:25, UK
Mauricio Pochettino believes Jose Mourinho suffers from the increased scrutiny his profile brings, insisting the Manchester United manager behaves no differently to other Premier League bosses.
Mourinho has found himself in hot water with the FA this season, serving a one-match ban in early November before again being sent from the touchline against West Ham.
His subsequent improper conduct charge saw him miss the 4-1 EFL Cup win over the same opponents last week, but Tottenham boss Pochettino says he has sympathy with his counterpart ahead of the two teams' Super Sunday clash at Old Trafford.
"It's too difficult sometimes to control yourself on the touchline. His behaviour was normal," said Pochettino.
"It's difficult being on the touchline when you are frustrated. You can show disappointment during the game. He wasn't doing anything differently to any of us.
"I like Mourinho, I have a good relationship with him. Because he is the Special One the media focus on him more than the rest."
"For me he is the Special One and will always be the Special One. When I started at Espanyol he was very kind to me, his door was always open.
"I always try to assess and be objective. For me, he was and is and always will be one of the best in the world."
Spurs finished their disappointing Champions League campaign with a 3-1 win over CSKA Moscow on Wednesday evening, 24 hours before United qualified for the knockout stages of the Europa League with a 2-0 win against Zorya in Ukraine, and Pochettino is grateful to finally see his side have the advantage of an extra day's rest.
"It's true that for us last season it was tough to play Thursday then Sunday," Pochettino added. "It's true we have one day more for this game.
"I don't remember in two-and-a-half years us having an advantage of an extra rest day. They can rotate their squad, that will be Mourinho's decision. United have great players so they will manage that situation."
