TANG DEALS WITH YIN & YANG

TANGUY NDOMBELE reckons that compatriots Nuno Espirito Santo and Jose Mourinho are complete chalk and cheese characters.

The coaches may both come from Portugal, but that is where the similarity ends, according to Ndombele.

Tottenham’s record £53.8million signing has faced major scraps to win over both men during his rollercoaster time in north London. Firstly, there was the well-publicised battle to get into Mourinho’s first team, which included the being hung out to dry in the media – more than once.

And, though handled in totally different fashion by Nuno, Ndombele (right) has had to wait patiently for a chance to shine under the new Spurs head coach.

Where Mourinho was always happy to speak his mind and be vocal – no matter who was in his line of fire – Nuno is the silent, calm one. The ex-lille ace, Ndombele 24, said: “They’re two very different people. Jose Mourinho is someone who has a hard style of management but he’s always about the cub.

“Nuno is a really nice guy but he’s a bit quieter and keeps himself to himself.” Mourinho accused Ndombele of having a poor attitude when leaving him out early in his Tottenham reign.

Meanwhile, ex-wolves boss Nuno explained the player’s absence during the opening six games of this season by merely confirming there was no injury.

Ndombele has no problem with either approach, admitting: “I’m happy for people to tell the truth like that about me. It’s true that it was hard at the start with Mourinho but over time we got on much better and the relationship worked better.

“With any manager, if I don’t like how I’m treated, I’ll say so.”