Marcelo Bielsa and Frank Lampard faced each other in opposing dugouts on five occasions during the Englishman's time at Derby County and Chelsea.
Bielsa emerged victorious on two occasions; Lampard on just two, with none of the fixtures ending with shares spoiled.
Contrary to belief that there was a bitter undercurrent between the two sparring managers, or a rift between the opposing technical areas, Bielsa has laid his cards on the table following Lampard's Chelsea departure.
The Argentine has expressed "regret" at the young manager's sacking, showing his empathetic side in attempts to understand what it must be like for Chelsea supporters and Lampard himself to not be allowed the opportunity to finish the project he started.
There was even glowing praise for the former England international, which again exemplifies Bielsa's class and good grace.
"First of all I can't judge the decision of Chelsea.
"Secondly, I regret that he wasn't able to finish this project," Bielsa began.
"The feeling I get is that the group that Lampard built is one of the best groups in English football.
"Evidently that group needed development and time," he continued.
Bielsa has never been one to wish ill-fortune on his managerial counterparts; he is the sincerest when it comes to his well-wishes and kindest sentiments.
Despite Lampard's prior behaviour at Elland Road, or his outspoken quips about 'doing analysis', Bielsa still views him with respect as a professional equal - that much is clear from his latest comments.
"I do regret that a colleague who had designed a very interesting project wasn't able to finish it."
Bielsa went on to add that the immediate clamour for success amongst top, English clubs means building projects becomes harder and harder to do.
"This has positive things and some negative. Very well qualified coaches arrived, very good players arrived, the quality of the spectacle has improved.
"The scenario stops being national and becomes international, but there is also things that the football here [in England], that it does no longer possess, that made it very attractive.
"For example the episode where a team could be created over a long period of time. The improvement of the project was valued through the hard work and the support. To lose that is to lose a lot of things."
