John Coleman admitted it will be ‘strange’ coming back to Accrington Stanley.
Coleman led the Reds from the UniBond First Division into the Football League in his 13 years at the club before he moved to Rochdale last January.
He always said if you could him open it would say Accrington Stanley but now he will be in the opposition dug out wanting the Reds to lose against his Rochdale side.
"Luckily I changed dug-outs when I was at Accrington so I have been in both already," joked the Spotland manager, who admitted it was one of the hardest decisions he had every had to make when he and assistant Jimmy Bell left the Crown Ground as manangers for the final time.
"I also know what the away dressing rooms are like but at least it’s only once a season I have to go in there!
"But no, it will be really strange going back. I still find it funny watching Accrington at home on television as I think I should be there.
"It’s well-document that me and Jimmy (Bell) never got to say good-bye to the fans so it will be nice to come back although we want to return with a win.
"And that’s not because it’s a former club because I had some great times at Accrington and nothing will ever change that.
"But anyone who knows me knows that I wanted to win last week’s game, I want to win the game tomorrow and I want to win next week’s game.
"I know I will come back and there will be a lot of banter, I will give it back but my desire is to win everything adn tomorrow is no different. You have got to be professional about it and Accrington and Rochdale have moved on although, in some ways, it is a no-win situation for me.
"But it should bea great atmosphere and I shouldn’t have to fire the players up for this one, but then again I shouldn’t have to fire the players on for any game."
Former Stanley players Bobby Grant, Kevin McIntyre, Peter Cavanagh, Ian Craney and Ray Putterill will be among Coley’s number at Spotland – and he did try to sign former Reds captain Andy Procter on loan from Preston last – while there will be limited players that the Dale boss knows from his time at Accrington.
Coleman was said to be chasing Dean Winnard and Luke Joyce in the summer while keeper Ian Dunbavin and defender Peter Murphy were signed by Coleman and Toto Nsiala and Padraig Amond were on loan last season under the former Reds boss.
"There have been major changes but they have done well so far this season," said Coleman.
There was an element of frustration as both Bell’s and Coleman’s proposed Stanley testimonials – set for last summer – were postponed but Coleman said: "There is no bad feeling on my part because of that, I cannot speak for others, but I have moved on from that."
Asked if it was a game he was looking forward to or dreading, Coleman said: "To be honest I am dreading the week after more as I turn 50 and I am not looking forward to that."
