Newcastle United defender Davide Santon has heaped praise on Alan Pardew's man-management.

Santon has praised Pardew for helping him to settle in at his new club, comparing the 51-year-old with the 'special one' himself.

"Pardew is a great coach with a lot in common with [Jose] Mourinho," he told Gazzetta dello Sport. "He's scrupulous, he teaches football, he knows tactics and opponents.

"The first few months were not easy. I didn't speak the language and coach Pardew kept me on the bench for some time.

"He explained I have to study the Premier League. He was right, he protected my integration."