Reading boss Brian McDermott says Andre Villas-Boas will be up for the challenge at Chelsea.
McDermott, who knew him through his role as the Royals' chief scout, has revealed he is a fearless coach who will imprint his own winning style on the club.
He told talkSPORT: "He won't imitate anybody, he will be his own man there's absolutely no doubt about that.
"He won't want to be compared with Mourinho. His style of football is really exciting to watch and he looks to me like a coach who has got no fear. He's young and he is living the dream."
