Newcastle United full-back Davide Santon has compared manager Alan Pardew to Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho.

Santon played under Mourinho for two years during his time with Inter Milan before joining Newcastle last year.

Since then, Pardew has guided the Magpies to an impressive fifth-place finish in the Premier League, and Santon believes that his methods are similar to those of 'the special one'.

"Pardew is a great coach with a lot in common with Mourinho," he told Gazzetta dello Sport. "He's scrupulous, he teaches football, he knows tactics and opponents," said the 21-year-old.

"The first few months were not easy. I didn't speak the language and coach Pardew kept me on the bench for some time.

"He explained I have to study the Premier League. He was right, he protected my integration."

Newcastle's next match comes against Manchester United on Sunday.