Rafael Benitez is relishing a battle with old friend Mauricio Pellegrino on Sunday as Newcastle travel to Southampton.
As well as managing the Argentinian manager and former defender at Valencia, the Newcastle boss Benitez appointed him as his assistant at both Liverpool and Inter Milan.
At St Mary's on Sunday though, the Spaniard will be in the away dug-out as his former adviser sends his Southampton team out hoping to move above the Magpies in the Premier League.
'He is someone who has always been focused and worked hard.