Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe said he was surprised to see Mauricio Pochettino leave Tottenham this week, but believes it is "great" for the Premier League to have Jose Mourinho back in management.
The former Chelsea and Manchester United boss has replaced Pochettino at Spurs this week, after the Argentine was sacked by the club after a poor start to the season.
His departure after five and a half years in north London came as a surprise to many people in football, having guided Spurs to their first ever Champions League final just a few months ago.
And Howe, who has previously been linked with some of the top clubs in the Premier League, including Spurs, said he was as surprised as anyone to see Pochettino leave, although he welcomed the return of Mourinho to the top flight, even if Bournemouth have to play Tottenham next week in what will be the new head coach's first home league game in charge.
"I always welcome the best back into the league. It makes the league better," the Bournemouth boss said today (Friday).
"I was as surprised as everyone else looking from afar about what happened this week.
"But Jose’s an unbelievable manager and I think it’s great for the league that he’s back, and it is probably not ideal timing for us to go to Tottenham in his first league game [next week], but it is what it is and we will relish that challenge when it comes."
Meanwhile, Howe admits he is envious of Mourinho's record in football management, adding that he feels he still has plenty to give after joining his third Premier League side.
"Look at his record, I would love his track record with what he has won and achieved in the game, it is incredible," said Howe.
"For me, he is one of the all time greats, and I think the trophy cabinet says that, so he has certainly got a lot more to give."
