Graham Potter insists he has no jealous feelings towards Frank Lampard and other high profile ex-players who come into management halfway up the ladder.
Potter faces the former Chelsea and England star on Saturday when Swansea City travel to Derby County, hoping to avoid a third successive Championship defeat.
At 40, Lampard is three years younger than Potter. But whilst the Swans boss had to learn his managerial trade in the lower levels of Swedish football with Ostersund – where he spent eight years before being trusted with a job in the Championship – Lampard walked into his first management job with one of the Championship’s big guns, just as effortlessly as be took the celebrity lifestyle at Stamford Bridge.
“There’s no resentment – everyone is different,” says Potter about the man in the opposite dugout at Pride Park.
“He is doing well and is an intelligent guy. He had so much experience at the highest level and knows the game.
“He has adapted well, coming into a new team and he has had a positive cup run where they showed big qualities and they have young players who are developing.
“It’s good for British football that players like Frank and Ryan Giggs are involved in coaching and can pass on their skills and knowledge. It’s good for the game.
“It is good they get the opportunities and the time to develop the skills you need. They have the knowledge and they were fantastic players. I’m all for them having those opportunities.
“It would be unfair to expect them to be Champions League coaches in six months, but given time they will get there and that’s why it’s positive. They need opportunity and resources to get better and reach the top like everybody else.”
Lampard has already made people take notice this season – his first in charge – by knocking Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup.
The former midfielder, who once had a spell on loan at the Swans when he was 19, has also guided Derby to seventh place in the table, four spots above Potter’s side.
Wales youngster Harry Wilson has played a big part in Derby’s success with six goals so far this season, including two in his last two matches as well as a spectacular free-kick in that victory over United.
Potter has noted the influence of the Liverpool loanee and adds: “We have to be mindful of that and reduce his opportunities to have dangerous free-kicks in dangerous areas.
“We have to defend it the best we can. If they have that ability, you have to do your best to limit that.
“It’s high level stuff from him and so we have to reduce it, and defend it if the chance comes.”