Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has said he still exchanges texts with Sir Alex Ferguson but will not be speaking to him ahead of Sunday's game against Manchester United.
Pochettino prompted speculation about his future in May when he met Ferguson for lunch in London while in negotiations over a new contract at White Hart Lane.
United had reportedly included Pochettino on their shortlist of potential replacements for Louis van Gaal, but the club chose Jose Mourinho and Pochettino signed a new five-year-deal.
Ferguson remains a friend and mentor of Pochettino's but the Argentine said: "No, I will not speak with him before the game.
"Yes, we send some texts but my expectation is not to talk with him before the game."
United will fall nine points behind Tottenham if they lose to them at Old Trafford on Sunday.
It has been a disappointing start to the campaign for a club that spent more than £150 million on new players in the summer while Spurs forked out less than half that amount.
There remains a large gap between the commercial clout of each club but Pochettino believes Tottenham are moving in the right direction.
"We are making a big effort to try to reduce that gap on the pitch," he said.
"It's true too our chairman, our board are trying to work hard to reduce the gap by building a new stadium, new facilities in the next few years.
"Tottenham is showing their ambition to be one of the biggest in Europe and in England."
United are expected to splash the cash again in January while Tottenham are unlikely to complete much business as the club are wary of bringing in players mid-season.
Pochettino said signing key players on new contracts was a more positive indication of progress.
"January is always difficult to find the right profile to help you," he added. "It will be difficult to find the profile that can help us, but the club is doing a very good job to extend contracts of key players.
"That is how we can show our real ambition and how the players show their commitment with us."