Graham Potter has praised the job being done at Newcastle by Eddie Howe alongside Dan Ashworth, the Chelsea boss's former Brighton colleague.
Newcastle, against most early season predictions, currently sit third in the league with the chance to go nine points clear of Chelsea heading into the World Cup break.
Speaking ahead of Chelsea's trip to St James' Park on Saturday evening, Potter said that Howe, who on Friday was crowned October's Manager of the Month, was doing a 'fantastic' job at the club and inferred that Ashworth's presence reaffirmed his belief that football clubs operate best when there is a strong club structure.