Maurizio Sarri: Jose Mourinho is a better manager than me... until I win a trophy

Maurizio Sarri admits Jose Mourinho is a better manager than him but is determined to win a major trophy at Chelsea to help bridge the gap.

Chelsea take on Mourinho's Manchester United side on Saturday afternoon with Blues coach Sarri full of respect for his counterpart.

The former has won 19 major trophies at five different clubs, seven of which came during two spells in charge at Stamford Bridge.

In contrast, Sarri has yet to claim any significant silverware and he is aware that Mourinho's achievements put him in the shade.

He said: “The results speak for him, I think. So, at the moment, he is better than me for sure. I hope to improve myself in the future, but at the moment I have to say he's better than me.

“First of all, the results - he has won everything everywhere. So I need to win if I want to compare myself to him.

"At the moment, it's not possible (to compare). You are talking about one of the best coaches in the world and at the moment I'm not one of the best.

"I think he will be able to also win in the future. Because he is really one of the best. Maybe the best. The results are the best. So I think he will be able to win again.”

Sarri was managing clubs in the lower Italian leagues when Mourinho worked in the country at Inter Milan between 2008-10.

The 59-year-old can't believe he has the good fortune to go head-to-head against Mourinho in the Premier league now.

When asked if he thought it was possible eight years ago, he added: “Probably not. My target, in that period, was to be a professional coach.

"I didn't think in that period that I was able to arrive in the Champions League. It was incredible at that moment (to think that), so I think I am lucky.

"Why? Because it's very difficult to start in a professional team and to finish in one of the most important clubs in the world, whether you are good or not good. It's very difficult. So you need to be lucky."

Sarri has already won over the Chelsea fans having brought entertaining football since replacing Antonio Conte in July.

They are the only team in the top flight that are still unbeaten in all competitions, but he has ruled out becoming the new Special One - Mourinho's nickname during his Chelsea reign - at the club.

He said: "No. The Special One is Mourinho.”