Daniel Farke is a big fan of 'gentleman' Mick McCarthy – but that will not stop him looking to send his rival packing in what could be the Ipswich manager's final derby duel.
McCarthy has never beaten Norwich in his time at Portman Road, and his Blues' future beyond this season remains up in the air.
Farke, however, insists McCarthy's 26 years in management deserve proper recognition ahead of Sunday's cross-border tussle.
'I am full of respect for his career. He has worked so long in this business and that is not easy,' said Farke.
'Listen, you have some good times as a coach and some times when it is tough and you are struggling a bit. In his whole career he has been very successful and I would hope that one day I can look back on such a long career at this high level.
'I only have big compliments for Mick.
'I enjoyed meeting him in Ipswich before the first game this season.
'He is a brilliant person and a brilliant character.
'He was unbelievably friendly and kind. He was a gentleman and I enjoyed having a chat with him.
'All I can say is even in Ipswich it is not like they have the opportunities of other clubs in this division, like Wolves or Middlesbrough, who are able to spend millions of pounds. Out of these opportunities he has done a really good job.
'Of course if you have a bad result or two then people are not happy. That is the same for me and I expect criticism.'
MORE: Have your say on our Pinkun forumFarke warns City must match the desperation of their neighbours to end a winless derby run stretching back to 2009.
'They will come highly motivated,' he said.
'Derby games are difficult to predict. You can't say there is a favourite because there are lots of emotions. We know they are not there in their best shape right now, but they will know just one result can change the whole atmosphere and mood.
'That must be a big goal for them.
'They started the season flying.
'Maybe they are struggling a bit, not so much away from home, and they have been criticised after the last home game.
'For us it was more we lacked consistency at the start of the season.
'Now we are going in the right direction but it can change very soon in football.
'Mick is an experienced coach and they have experienced lads so they will know what to do in a derby.'
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