Roberto Di Matteo was Andre Villas-Boas' assistant at Chelsea this time last year, and despite now taking over the reins as manager at Stamford Bridge, the Italian has not lost any of the admiration or respect for his former boss.
Villas-Boas is now the manager at Tottenham Hotspur, with Chelsea facing their London rivals at White Hart Lane in Saturday's early game. Di Matteo is confident Villas-Boas will be a success with Spurs.
"If you get sacked it doesn't mean you are a bad coach," Di Matteo said. "It is not a measure for how good you are
"He's a bright man, a talented coach and he was very successful at Porto. I'm not surprised he's doing well.
"It's the first time we are playing against each other. My mind is more focused on the Tottenham team than on him. It will be the same for him.
"We have a very good relationship and respect for each other but we will both want to beat each other."
Di Matteo believes Spurs are capable of challenging for the title. "I have talked about United, Manchester City, ourselves and Arsenal and I said there could be a surprise," Di Matteo said.
"Spurs over the years have established themselves in the top five and are getting closer and closer to the top.
"We haven't won in the league there (White Hart Lane) since 2005, a very long time, and they are always difficult games for us to play as well. I don't think in their mind it is about revenge, it is more about playing against the club and the good players they have.
"We've obviously worked together and tomorrow we will be opponents for the first time as well but during the game there are not going to be any good feelings between us, but certainly after the game there will. We are in touch from time to time and our relationship is good."
Di Matteo admitted the club was affected by the John Terry issue, but stood by his captain. "The image of our club has suffered with this issue," he said. There is no denying that.
"We try to do everything in our power to make sure we maintain high standards. People make mistakes. He has apologised and he has been punished for the language that he used.
"We have followed the legal process very closely and supported our player. He has accepted the ban now and he has realised the language he used wasn't acceptable.
"It is not like he is getting away with it. The FA have taken action against him and the club have taken action against him.
"I do not (regret supporting him)," Di Matteo added. "I do believe the evidence he gave in the Magistrates Court is exactly what happened on the day.
"He was cleared of any racial abuse in the Magistrates Court and we will take that as the result of it.
"There was the legal process with the Magistrates Court and there was the FA process. We accept both outcomes. He knows his language wasn't appropriate. He let himself down and the club down and he is being punished for it."