Arsene Wenger has backed Mikel Arteta to succeed at Arsenal but has warned fans he needs to be given time.
The Frenchman spent 22 years in charge of Arsenal, leading the Gunners to three Premier League titles and seven FA Cup triumphs.
Wenger was replaced by Unai Emery but the Spaniard struggled at the Emirates and was dismissed in his second season.
Mikel Arteta is now in charge and has already led Arsenal to silverware in the form of the FA Cup and Community Shield.
Asked if Arteta can be a success, Wenger said yes. But the 70-year-old did warn he has seen new managers with the same skills as Arteta before and it not quite work out.
"Yes," he told BBC Sport. "He has the ingredients to be a very good manager, a top manager, but many of my former players had these ingredients. We have to give them time, let them do their job in the way they want to do it.
"He's intelligent, he has big passion and a strong character. And I believe he's surrounding himself with the right people."
Wenger was asked for his own view on Arsenal and added why he doesn't return.
"The love of my life," said Wenger. "I gave 22 years of my life to the club. I built the training centre and I built the Emirates Stadium. I gave a lot of sweat to get the stadium money paid back and to create an atmosphere and infrastructure to allow this club to do well and invest in the future. I think we are in a good way.
"I'm a little bit like a guy who's ended a relationship and has no contact with his children any more but he still loves them.
On why he's stayed away, Wenger explained: "I have chosen to keep a complete distance.
"It doesn't mean emotionally, just physically. It's important people don't see you as a shadow. It may look like you're still trying to influence things and have your way. I felt that the best thing to do is cut it away."
