Cristiano Ronaldo insists Jose Mourinho is the best manager in the world

The two didn't have the best of relationships at Real Madrid but Ronaldo still acknowledges the Special One's managerial quality.

Cristiano Ronaldo has offered Jose Mourinho some encouragement, admitting he sees the Chelsea manager as one of the top coaches in world football.

The egotistical pair didn't have the best of relationships at Real Madrid and a recent excerpt from Guillem Balague's new Ronaldo biography claims the two almost came to blows while Mourinho was the manager of Los Blancos.

But Mourinho, who is enduring the toughest spell of his managerial career at Stamford Bridge, has been handed a confidence boost by the reigning World Player of the Year.

“I would put him at the top, I always say that," Ronaldo said, speaking to BT Sport.

"He’s a good coach, he did many good things and won many trophies for other clubs.

"My coach is now Benitez and I’m comfortable we are going to win many things together.”

Mourinho won three trophies during his three seasons in charge of Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013.

The Portuguese guided the Spanish giants to success in La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup before returning to Chelsea in the summer of 2013 and winning the Premier League title last season.

After six defeats in the Blues' opening 11 top flight matches of this campaign, Chelsea sit 15th in the table, 14 points off league leaders Manchester City.