Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard is relishing going head-to-head with his former manager Carlo Ancelotti this weekend.
The former Blues boss will be in the opposing dugout at Stamford Bridge this weekend as Everton visit west London, with the Italian now in charge of the Toffees.
Ancelotti enjoyed a successful first season as Chelsea boss, winning the club's first ever league and cup double in 2009-10 as he guided the Blues to success in the Premier League and FA Cup.
Lampard was a key member of his side during the Italian's time at the helm, but he is now preparing to go up against Ancelotti for the first time as a manager, with the 60-year-old having been appointed at Everton after the two sides met at Goodison Park in December.
And Lampard is looking forward to the prospect of facing his old manager, who he enjoyed a good relationship with during his spell as Chelsea boss.
At his pre-match press conference, Lampard was asked what sort of reception Ancelotti was likely to be given back at Stamford Bridge.
In response, Lampard said: "A very good one. He's very well respected in house and by the fans. We all respect his period at the club. He is a gentleman, fantastic manager. I loved working with him personally, it was a good season under him and he'll get a great reception.
"He is a great man manager, really great on a personal level, great at striking up relationships with the players, to try to get the best out of them.
"He is very good tactically and has a really calm manner, never too high, never too low. He is someone I really enjoyed working with, we had a very successful year in that first year to win the double, and from then on, I've kept in touch with him now and again. I have huge respect for him."
But when asked if he was surprised when Ancelotti was sacked the following season after a second-placed finish with the Blues, Lampard said he wasn't, adding that "these things happen" in football.
