Louis van Gaal hailed new Scotland boss Sebastien Pocognoli as 'fantastic' after he admitted he's been hugely impressed by his protege's success.
The 39-year-old Belgian was unveiled as Scotland's manager this week and is just the second foreigner to take the post in 154 years.
Pocognoli named Dutch managerial legend van Gaal as his inspiration and mentor after he was signed by the former Manchester United, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Ajax and Netherlands boss for AZ Alkmaar as a player in 2007, where they won the Dutch league title.
He said: "No coach taught me as much as Louis van Gaal did.
"He was tough and I had to take it. He made life difficult for me and could humiliate you in front of the whole group. But I needed it. Those who followed him became the best version of themselves. Under him, I improved enormously."
And 75-year-old van Gaal has been impressed by the former Union Saint-Gilloise and Monaco boss and his career so far.
Van Gaal said: "He played for a few years under me at AZ. At first, he had difficulty integrating into my team. But he managed it thanks to his commitment and qualities.
"A lot of people say I'm the best coach they have ever worked under! But it's always nice to hear him say that.
"Yes, I was strict with him. Every player needs a bit of that. Footballers sometimes think they're better than others and that's not good.
"But Sebastien wasn't like that. He was very modest: a true Belgian compared to the Dutch. He always tried to implement my vision.
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"I think I'm clear in my communication and I enforce the discipline I impose within the group.
"Sebastien may have inherited those qualities from me.
"Honestly, I didn't see him as a future manager because he was very reserved.
"But I think his coaching career has been fantastic, really.
"He has a very solid tactical foundation. A good coach must be honest, provide clarity and make sure everything is understood and he clearly does that.
"Sebastien was the youngest coach in the league in Belgium, but that meant nothing because he won it and I think what he has done so far has been great.
"Age is generally irrelevant and he has proved that."
