Jose Mourinho says Felix Magath's reputation for imposing a ruthless training ground regime means nothing to him – only his fine record as a manger.

The Chelsea boss comes up against Fulham's newly-installed manager for the first time and says the German's success commands respect, whatever the methods.

“I don't know him personally,” Mourinho said. “I know him for what he was as a player first and as a coach later.

“I don't know his training methods, I just know his CV and his CV is one of the best of the 20 managers in the Premier League.

“I try to be pragmatic and the CV is very clear. He has a reputation, a past and I respect that.”

Mourinho says he is also impressed that Magath has acknowledged the Blues are at a disadvantage for tomorrow's derby having had a tiring midweek trip to Istanbul and little recovery time.

“I have to praise Magath because he was the first one to say that it's a different match because Chelsea had the game in midwee - with the special situation that the game was so far away, and we don't play Sunday,” Mourinho said.

“Magath knows that because he has experience at this level, because he played European competition for many years.”