Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has admitted he is still not completely comfortable with the prospect of coming up against Frank Lampard's Everton after he replaced the club legend in the Stamford Bridge dugout. The German has etched his name into Blues' history since taking the job while Lampard is continuing in his first role since leaving west London.
Tuchel has led Chelsea to a second Champions League title, a UEFA Super Cup and a FIFA Club World Cup. He has also appeared in an FA Cup and Carabao Cup final and will have a second chance at winning the former against Liverpool later this month.
Sunday afternoon's meeting with the Toffees will mark the first time the two coaches have come face-to-face since Lampard's sacking, and while Tuchel says the Chelsea legend has always been supportive of him, there is still an element of discomfort in facing his predecessor.
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"I still don't feel 100 per cent comfortable because I took over from him in the middle of the year," he said in an interview with the official Chelsea website. "We had a quick chat because he was a real gentleman and sent me a long message after I took over. I knew that the decision was done and it does not have to do anything with me - that I am pushing him out.
"I was happy to see a legend like this at the sideline of his club. I think this is a very nice story and a story that football needs. Pep [Guardiola] at Barcelona and now Xavi at Barcelona. I like these kind of stories.
"To play now against him at Everton is also big. Like I said, it was very nice, we had some exchange of messages and now we meet for the first time. I'm looking forward to it. We will not exchange any gifts on Sunday, I don't think. This is agreed."
