Last Updated: Fri, 16 Nov 2012 14:38
Jonas Olsson admits he was not in favour of the sacking of Roberto Di Matteo as manager of West Brom ahead of facing him on Saturday.
But the Sweden international concedes that Albion and Chelsea have both enjoyed success in the 21 months since Di Matteo left the Hawthorns.
Di Matteo has led Chelsea to Champions League and FA Cup glory while the Baggies have become established in the Barclays Premier League under Roy Hodgson and now former Chelsea coach Steve Clarke.
Olsson, part of the Swedish side which defeated England in mid-week, told Press Association Sport: "I rate Roberto Di Matteo very highly. I was very clear when the club sacked him that I wasn't (in favour of it). I really enjoyed working with him.
"He is a good coach and I really connected with him as a person as well. But everything happens for a reason I guess and, for him, it turned out very good and, for us, it turned out well.
"We got Roy Hodgson as manager and really pushed on from there and Roberto went to Chelsea and had a fantastic career there. It will be good to see him but, when it is game time, we will be looking to keep going and keep doing what we've been doing this season."
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