Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has hailed Jose Mourinho has "extraordinary" but feels he has more in common with Liverpool counterpart Jurgen Klopp.
Sarri has settled well into Premier League life and is yet to taste defeat in the league this season, a record-best start for a new coach in the division.
Mourinho, who won three league titles at Stamford Bridge, was angered during his first encounter with Sarri after the Italian's assistant celebrated wildly at Chelsea's last-gasp equaliser.
Sarri was impressed with Manchester United manager's conduct afterwards, refusing to blame the coach, telling Gazzetta dello Sport: "Mourinho is a man of extraordinary human quality.
"He made a great impression on me when we met at Stamford Bridge and there was that incident involving my assistant.
"Professionally, there's nothing more to add - he's won everything, everywhere."
However, it is Klopp which whom Sarri feels more in common after the pair meet twice earlier in the season.
"[Jurgen] Klopp is the one who I feel is closest to me in terms of philosophy, and I think our exchange [on the touchline in Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Liverpool in September] proves it," he said.
"At a certain point, I turned to face him and I saw he was smiling so I went up to ask him why.
"He said: 'Because I'm loving it, you?' - 'Me too,' I replied. It's when you experience situations like these that you realise you've reached the top."
On Emery, who Sarri beat in August before Arsenal began their long unbeaten run, he said: "He is one who studies and he's an excellent professional.
"The attacking organisation of his football is of the highest level."
