Roberto Di Matteo has respect for Andre Villas-Boas

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo has described his Tottenham Hotspur counterpart Andre Villas-Boas as "a talented and intelligent man".

Di Matteo replaced the 35-year-old as the Blues manager in March after the Portuguese was sacked, and led the team to their first ever Champions League triumph in May.

"Just because you are sacked does not mean you are not a good coach," he is quoted as saying in the Daily Mail.

"I was pleased he got the Tottenham job. He's a talented and intelligent man."

Tottenham will host Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday.