Western Sydney Wanderers coach Ufuk Talay Isn't fazed by the prospect of a potentially hostile return to the home of his former club Sydney FC in Friday's A-League Mens season opener.
Talay quit the Sky Blues last March and subsequently signed a two-year deal with the Wanderers.
The new season fixture list has ensured he'll make the quickest possible return to Allianz Stadium.
Talay wasn't thinking about being the first man to coach both clubs, but recognised the Sydney fans could fire up at seeing him in the opposition dugout.
"That's all part of the game, at the end of the day. I'll be here to prepare the boys and get them to try and perform at their best,"Talay said.
"The game is always quiet feisty. I've had some very joyous moments on the other side of the fence. Hopefully we can do that now with the Wanderers.
"The group has had very good buy in and a very good belief in what we're trying to do."
Talay was replaced by Patrick Kisnorbo, who led Sydney to the grand final, where they lost to Auckland FC.
Kisnorbo acknowledged the code had the chance to build on some recent highlights.
"You had the Socceroos (two games) against Brazil, that's obviously a bit of momentum going into the Australia Cup (final)," Kisnorbo said.
"Now you have the first (ALM) round, the Sydney Derby and the second round is the Melbourne derby, I think it's great for our game."
Sky Blues captain and veteran full back Rhyan Grant, who has played more Sydney v Wanderers clashes than any other player, said the rivalry was definitely as fierce as ever.
Like the Wanderers, Sydney have had several personnel changes since last season, with Grant saying their style of play probably suited a younger person, with the squad containing plenty of youth.
"Very physical, very fit, I like to think we play a good style of football," Grant said.
The 35-year-old defender, who will be challenged for the right back spot by former Manchester united player James Overy, said he was feeling good and would wait until the end of the season before deciding whether to play on.
New Wanderers captain Brandon Borrello said the job was a massive responsibility and one of the biggest privileges of his career.
At 31, Socceroo Borrello is one of the senior.players in a new-look squad looking to lift the club after a disastrous wooden-spoon campaign last season.
"I'm almost a fossil in my team so I've got to be in it and amongst it with our young boys just as much as anyone else," Borrello said.
"Expect a very hungry, very eager, very impressive team, one that wants to play direct."
Talay said former captain Lawrence Thomas was "quite good" with the change, remained part of the leadership group and would play an important role within the team.