Tiago Mendes has labelled Diego Simeone as a more passionate football man than Jose Mourinho.

35-year-old Tiago was signed by Mourinho when he was at the helm of Chelsea back in 2004, winning the Premier League/League Cup double in his one and only season at Stamford Bridge, so is well-versed to pass judgement on his fellow Portuguese.

But, the experienced Atletico Madrid midfielder is a big admirer of his current boss who he feels can be compared with another of modern day football's great managers.

Speaking exclusively to Tribalfootball, Tiago attempted to dissect Manchester United's Mourinho and Simeone by suggesting that perhaps the Atleti hero possesses a little more affection and fervour for the game than the two-time Champions League, three-time Premier League and once La Liga title winner.

"They are quite similar in the way that the only thing that counts is the three points," said Tiago.

"Win, win, win.

"After that, they are different I think.

"Simeone is more passionate with the squad, with the football, with the fans. I think he lives football in another way.

"Mourinho, everybody knows, he just wants to win. He's a great coach."

Regarding Simeone in particular, Tiago spoke of the attributes the fiercely competitive Argentine maintains in order to bring success to the Vicente Calderon Stadium.

"For us he is just like a player. He is like our captain, our leader. He is very special for us," he added of the former Sevilla, Atleti, Inter Milan and Lazio midfielder.

"We have been together four-and-a-half years now and it has been fantastic working with him.

"He knows a lot about football. He was a great player. He had so much experience in the national team of Argentina and he played in Italy and Spain for a lot of big teams.

"He has so much to teach us. It has been a great time to be with and to learn."