Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood insists Tottenham did him a favor by sacking him.
The 46-year-old was axed last summer and replaced by Mauricio Pochettino after just five months in charge at Spurs.
He takes struggling Villa, three points above the Barclays Premier League drop zone, to Tottenham on Saturday for the first time since beating Villa as Spurs boss on the final day of the 2013-14 season.
Sherwood replaced Andre Villas-Boas in December 2013 only to leave at the end of the season, but believes his Spurs exit was the best thing to happen to him.
He said: "It's a good club, they've been very good to me Tottenham over the years. I wouldn't be sitting here as Aston Villa manager if wasn't for Tottenham Hotspur.
"I have a lot of respect for that football club, it's all about what I can give to the side at Aston Villa at the weekend.
"I was pleased with what I did but I respect the decision made by (Tottenham chairman) Daniel Levy and his board, they've been good for me. They only made that decision based on what they believe is best for the football club.
"They have to make that decision. I haven't got to agree with it. I just move on. I thank them for not being there now as it's the reason I am at this fantastic football club.
"I've been in communication with Daniel Levy since I've left, I haven't got a problem."
Sherwood is likely to be without Alan Hutton (ankle), Ashley Westwood and Scott Sinclair (both hamstring) and Libor Kozak is not yet fit despite playing 67 minutes against Wolves under-21s on Wednesday – his first game since breaking his leg 14 months ago.
Sherwood added: "I'm glad he's back but he's been out 14 months and he's played an hour. You're asking for a disaster (if you rush him), we have to be very careful with him. We have to make sure we give him the right preparation."
