The current Swansea City manager has lifted his side into 3rd place in the Championship and tonight goes head to head with the former Swans boss for a place in the Carling Cup quarter finals.
And whilst Roberto is ensured a ‘warm’ reception from the travelling Jack Army, Brendan is looking beyond that at the work done when he was at the club.
“Deep down you take it as a compliment because when people want to boo it’s because you did a good job,” he told the Western Mail
“Everyone knows Roberto did an excellent job and he will always be respected at Swansea.
“Having been through the situation, I know there will be reasons why he left and no-one will know those reasons as well as Roberto.
“When you lose a manager that you love, and I’m sure the supporters loved him, then it’s difficult to take when he goes to another club.
“I am sure over time that feeling will diminish, but it is always a problem in the first game since you left.
“We look out for each other and I am looking forward to seeing him. We’ve exchanged messages and I know he loves this club and he will never forget it, but he understands the situation.
“We are both young managers trying to pioneer good football and he and I are on the same page when it comes to beliefs.
“Having watched Swansea for a couple of years when Roberto was in charge, they were a group who continued to show lots of courage and it was one of the reasons I came here.
“The foundations were laid and he left an excellent legacy.
“Hopefully I will be here for some years yet, but when my time comes to go hopefully I will leave something here people will speak well of and something which allowed the club to continue to move forward.”
