Planet Swans ArchivesThe man who departed Swansea just over twelve months ago will come face to face with his replacement who is aiming to equal a 38 year old club record of nineteen league games unbeaten as the Swans sit proudly well clear at the top of League One.
It will also be the first meeting between the two men since Jackett packed Roberto on his way from the club he loves shortly after the play off final of 2006. But despite all that the current Swansea manager says there are no grudges to be borne and he will happily shake hands with him on Friday night at the Liberty.
"What happened two years ago is gone. This sort of thing happens in football." Martinez told News of the World
"You really have to move on and look to the next challenge which is exactly what I did. I felt I had more to offer Swansea as a player and you're going to be disappointed and upset when you leave a club you love.
"I don't have a problem with what Kenny did. A manager has to make difficult decisions, that's the nature of this game. Of course I will shake hands with him on Friday.
"You have to get on with other managers and have a good relationship with them. It won't be any different with Kenny.
"I'm not using any of the methods that Kenny used while he was here. We come from different backgrounds and we have different methods. Every manager has different beliefs and different ways of working.
"It's a huge game for both clubs on Friday night. We're in a good position and we've given ourselves a great chance of winning promotion but that's all we've done at the moment."
Swans Chairman Huw Jenkins also believes that Jackett should have a good reception on Friday night saying "Kenny took this club forward during his three years with us and we'll always be grateful to him for that.
"Some fans got on his back because they weren't happy. He felt the fans no longer had faith in him and that it was time to move on. But I hope he gets a good reception when he comes back.
"He put three years of his life into Swansea City and that means he should be shown respect, Fans who criticised him a year ago should give him a good reception."
