JOSE Mourinho visits the Stamford Bridge today – his first trip to the ground – since he was sacked as Chelsea manager in December 2015.
But the Manchester United manager says for him, there won’t be any hysterical show even if the Reds score against his former club.
“I have the maturity to control the emotion,” Mourinho told BBC Sport.
“If my team score a goal am I going to celebrate like a crazy kid? No. Am I going to have a negative reaction if the crowd has something negative with me? No.”
The Portuguese has had two spells at Chelsea, with the results being three Premier League titles; the first of these in 2005 ended the Blues’ title drought in 50 years; an FA Cup and three League Cups before his sack 10 months ago.
Today’s trip to Stamford Bridge will be Mourinho’s second as an opposition manager.
He won there with Inter Milan in 2010, before his second spell with the Blues in which he added a third league title to his trophy haul in west London.
Mourinho’s return apart, today’s game is important for the two clubs seeking to re-establish their Champions League credentials.
Both clubs have won the title within the past four years, but neither made the top four last season and they are both outside it going into this weekend’s game – Chelsea fifth and United two places further back.
They have each lost two of their eight games but know if results go their way, they could be in the top four by tonight.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte says his counterpart should be given a warm welcome when he arrives at Stamford Bridge.
The Italian was appointed Mourinho’s permanent successor in April and began his job in July.
“I have great respect for him,” said Conte.
“He won three championships and I think he was an important man for the club.
“I think he deserves a good reception, because he wrote with the club, with his players, with the staff part of the story of this club.”
