Aitor Karanka has played down suggestions that Tony Pulis and he are similar in managerial styles as, for one, the Spaniard thinks that the Middlesbrough boss is much better than him.

The former Boro manager faces his old side this weekend as he leads his Forest side up against them and some have suggested that the two managers set things up similarly.

They like to have a strong defensive base and strong, physical players dotted throughout their sides but, for Karanka, there isn't much that's the same between them, and he has a lot to learn from people like the former Stoke boss.

As quoted by Gazette Live, Karanka said:

"I do not think we are similar. He is more experienced than me and we do have different styles.

"We are not the same, not least because he is much better than me and more experienced than me."

An interesting take from the Forest boss, then, and it remains to be seen whether he's learned enough to beat Pulis' play-off chasing side this weekend.

The Verdict

Karanka is perhaps doing himself a slight injustice but it is fair to say that, in his extra years, Pulis has so far achieved more.

The Spanish manager is certainly capable of becoming a prolonged top flight boss in the future, though, and that is something Forest fans will hope happens with them.

Thoughts, Forest fans? Let us know below!