Villas-Boas the best manager I've played for not Mourinho, says Ramires

Former Chelsea midfielder Ramires has revealed that Andre Villas-Boas is the best manager he's played under.

Villas-Boas spent less than a year in charge of the Blues, taking over back in June 2011 before he was dismissed just nine months later following a 1-0 defeat to West Brom.

But the Portuguese, who has also had spells with Porto, Tottenham, Zenit and now Shanghai SIPG, clearly made a big impression on Ramires, with the 29-year-old full of praise for his former manager.

When asked who is the best manager and player he's worked with, Ramires told Goal: "I had the pleasure of working with great coaches during my career, but I identified most with Andre Villas-Boas.

"We got along really well and it was great to work with him, he's a guy of enormous ability and intelligence.

"On the field, I had the pleasure of playing with Ronaldinho in the national team. He did amazing things and is one of the best I've ever seen."

Ramires also discussed Jose Mourinho and that things became difficult for him at Chelsea following Roman Abramovich's decision to sack the now Manchester United boss in 2015.

"I always had a very good relationship with Mourinho, so much so that the things became complicated for me at the club when he left.

"I remember he wanted to count on me since he was at Real Madrid and it was a pleasure to work together with him. Mourinho's CV speaks for itself. He has won many important titles and proved that he is one of the best at what he does.

"With us he was always a calm guy, but on the pitch and in training he demands a lot of us, which I do not see as being a problem. It was in this way of working that he became what he is today.

"I did not see any problem [to explain Chelsea's dismal 2015-16 campaign]. Football can be like that. We were champions the previous season, but then things did not work out. It's hard to explain. It was practically the same team."

The 29-year-old midfielder, who is now playing in China for Jiangsu Suning after leaving Chelsea in January 2016, also discussed Pep Guardiola and expressed his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

He added: "I am currently admiring Guardiola's work. I think he changed the the way of playing football and should be valued for it.

"It may be kind of cliche, but I think Messi and Ronaldo really are the best in the world at the moment. They have different styles, but both can win games for their teams with the same efficiency."