Antonio Conte has surprisingly given a ringing endorsement of Luis Enrique - the man Chelsea have earmarked to replace him at Stamford Bridge.
Conte's position as Chelsea coach is under threat after winning just two of his last 10 games and it is expected the Italian will leave at the end of the season at the very latest.
Chelsea have compiled a wish-list of managers that could succeed him and Enrique, who won nine major trophies at Barcelona between 2014-17, is at the top of it.
Conte admits he knows Enrique well from when the Spaniard was in charge of Roma in 2011-12 and he was at Juventus.
Conte said: "We played against each other and he's a really good person. I have great admiration for Luis Enrique and he is a fantastic coach.
"He reached his targets with Barcelona, and also with Roma, you could see a well-organised team. I can speak about him very well, as a person and a coach.”
Despite Enrique and his friend Carlo Ancelotti being linked with his position, Conte has no hard feelings.
He added: "We do this job, and our job is not 'difficult', but you must be open and understand the situation can change. A club can take different decisions.
"It's the same for me. But, I repeat, I'm not jealous or envious of other managers. Everyone knows his job, his work. I have, usually, a great respect.”
