Neale Cooper has revealed his great respect for opposite number Paolo Di Canio as he prepares to welcome the Italian's Swindon Town side to Victoria Park on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
The Pools boss says that he always followed Di Canio's playing career with great interest and is pleased to see him prospering in the hotseat at The County Ground.
And Cooper even joked that the battle in the dugouts could be intriguing as the one on the pitch this weekend with both bosses never shy of showing their emotions!
"Wherever Paolo played he gave his lot," Cooper told
Pools Player.
"I watched Swindon's game the other night and I saw him in the dugout and he was doing the same as a manager too - he's quite a scary-looking character isn't he?!
"But he's very passionate about the game the same as I am - we just want our players to go out there and do the very best they can and we wear our hearts on our sleeves.
"I'm not sure but maybe we can sell tickets for the dugouts - Cooper v Di Canio!
"But in all seriousness, I have total respect for him as a player and as a manager and I'm really looking forward to meeting him on Saturday."