Robson, the former Newcastle and England manager who showed Mourinho the ropes when the Portuguese was his assistant at Barcelona, agrees Mourinho is a master coach.

But he adds: Everything has gone his way but sometimes you've got to learn a bit of humility. Jose's impact in England has been staggering but he must learn how to lose."

Mourinho escaped sanction from the Football Association for his gesture to Liverpool fans during last Sunday's Carling Cup final which resulted in him being sent from the dug-out by fourth official Phil Crossley.

The Portuguese raised a finger to his lips in a silencing gesture after the Blues equalised in the final, a match they went on to win 3-2 after extra-time.

The incident has been the most talked-about football story in England this week coming after his blow-up following the UEFA Champions League defeat to Barcelona when he claimed Barca coach Frank Rijkaard had spoken to referee Anders Frisk in the official's dressing room.

But League Managers Association vice-chairman Frank Clark believes Mourinho's emotional high-wire act is a big part of what makes him one of the world's top managers.

"Does he need to rein in his emotions? I don't think so. He is a very successful manager, he has already won the Champions League so his methods obviously work. Far be it from me to tell him how to manage,"

Clark said.

Mourinho's super-confidence and straight-talking approach remind Clark of Brian Clough, whom he played under in the Nottingham Forest side which won back-to-back European Cups in 1979 and 1980.

Mourinho announced on arriving at Chelsea after winning back-to-back UEFA Cup and Champions League trophies with Porto that he was "a special one".

"I don't like labelling people as being another this or another that, but there are certain similarities between Jose Mourinho and Brian," Clark said.

"He has made outrageous statements sometimes but often to calculated effect.

"He has terrific confidence in his ability which is something Brian certainly had. But I wouldn't want to label him as the new Brian Clough. He is Jose Mourinho, he's already won his first trophy for Chelsea and I hope he goes on to win many more."