Former Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink says Andre Villas-Boas must keep the respect of senior pair John Terry and Frank Lampard.
Hiddink, now Turkey manager, was George Best's room-mate as a player in America when he was the same age as Villas-Boas.
Asked whether Chelsea's ex-Porto boss will be able to enjoy a good relationship with his players at 33, Hiddink said: "It depends on the quality of the manager and also his human qualities.
"Age does not have to mean the players consider him as a brother. If they feel he is straightforward and has good integrity he will be fine.
"He has to win respect. But it does not always have to do with age. On top of that, English professional players like Terry and Lampard know what is demanded in England. They take the lead.
"At big clubs, some leading players - like JT and Lampard - have a kind of respect for the club as well.
"They know the standards and what is required at Chelsea.
"The Chelsea squad have been together a long time, with new additions coming in. They have their own pride as a group and Villas-Boas can manage them.
"It is a very young age to be at Chelsea but he has proved at Porto that he is good. The Premier League is different but young people must be given a chance.
"I started young - but not that young. I was responsible for PSV Eindhoven when I was 41. When I was 33, I was an over-the-hill player. I was playing with George Best at San Jose. He was my room-mate.
"When you are playing at that age, you think you are still managing but young players are running around you, kicking and elbowing you.
"That is the sign to say stop playing, you are getting old."
