West Bromwich Albion manager Steve Clarke meets his old friend and former boss Jose Mourinho for the first time this weekend. Mourinho appointed the Scottish coach as his assistant manager at Stamford Bridge before the pair went on to win two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups together.
"Jose sent me a text this week asking if I needed any tickets for the game, which was nice of him," said Clarke.
"My lad has his season ticket so he'll be watching from the Chelsea end. There are no big issues and I didn't need any tickets from him.
"The friendship is good. I don't speak to him every week or text him every week but the friendship is good. When you've worked with somebody closely you build a bond and you take that bond with you for the rest of your life.
"I haven't seen him for well over five years. So it will be nice to catch up with him face to face rather than just little text messages."
Clarke was wary of the attention being placed on their relationship ahead of the match.
"My job now is head coach of West Bromwich Albion," he said. I want to prepare my team well for the game, I want to get a positive result for Albion.
"This weekend Jose is in the opposition dug-out but it doesn't change our preparation or what we want to get from the game.
"I said before that Chelsea is a big part of my career. I was there for a long time as a player and as a coach. But I have to be selfish and this weekend is about West Bromwich Albion for me."
Clarke sees no reason to make an issue of his ties with the Blues.
"Victory wouldn't mean anything to me other than the fact it's another three points for the Albion. It would be a good scalp to take, winning at Stamford Bridge and beating Chelsea, but that's it.
"There is no added incentive whatsoever."
