This interview is drawing to a close when Eliaquim Mangala shuffles forward in his seat and lets out a mischievous giggle. The central defender has been reminded of his loan move from Manchester City to Everton that went through on deadline day in January 2018.



It makes him one of a select few of players who trained with Pep Guardiola one day, and warmed up under the orders of Sam Allardyce the next morning. Perhaps, therefore, Mangala is well-placed to compare two coaches commonly perceived to be at opposing ends of the spectrum when it comes to English football’s culture war.



“Totally different,” says Mangala, talking to The Athletic at Valencia’s training ground. “These are two different ways. It was quite funny because, for example, at City, at kick-off, we used to do build-up, pass it back, then pass, pass, pass. Then I arrive at Everton. Sam, the week before the game, we train and from the kick-offs, he tells us, ‘Put the ball...