Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola have similar personalities, says Xabi Alonso

Alonso has been managed by both during his brilliant career

(2015 Getty Images)

Spainsh legend Xabi Alonso is one of the few men to have been managed by both Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola.

The former Liverpool star, who won La Liga under Mourinho at Real Madrid and the Bundesliga under Guardiola at Bayern Munich, os one of the best midfielders of this generation.

He has won two Champions League medals, with Liverpool and Real Madrid, as well as being a key part of the Spanish teams that won three international tournaments in a row between 2008 and 2012.


 Mourinho and Guardiola during their spells in Spain 
 (Getty)

The 34-year-old revealed that the two managers, polar opposites in their footballing philosophies and great rivals, are actually similar.

"Pep and Mou are very different in football terms, but I see similarities in their personalities," he told beIN Sports.

"[Mourinho] is 100 per cent competitive and wants to win. He squeezes out what he does not like to get what he wants."

Should he stay at Bayern, Alonso, who has another year to run on his contract, will be reunited with Carlo Ancelotti.

The Italian will take over from Guardiola in the summer when he leaves for Manchester City.

"I think of Ancelotti with fondness because he is an endearing person," added Alonso.

“He is a club man and does not give importance to things that do not matter."