Patrick Kluivert is confident Louis van Gaal can get Manchester United back to winning "important prizes" and believes the 62-year-old is still a hugely "sophisticated" coach. The Dutch manager's appointment at Old Trafford is expected to be confirmed within a number of days.
Speaking to ESPN, Kluivert refused to discuss whether he had yet been approached to continue as Van Gaal's assistant -- a role he occupies with Netherlands -- or confirm whether any deal was done, but did say it is a "pleasure" to work with his former Ajax boss.
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Sources in Manchester and the Netherlands state that Kluivert is likely to join the United coaching staff, with Danny Blind - who had been tipped for an Old Trafford role - set to continue with the Netherlands under Guus Hiddink.
As well as working as his assistant, Kluivert has played under Van Gaal at three different teams: Ajax, Barcelona and the national team.
"I think he didn't sign yet so I can't say nothing about it... [but] I think he can let big teams play even better and win important prizes," Kluivert said.
"I think he's got a lot of qualities but the most important thing he can make any team play better than they are. That's very important. He wins games.
"Louis is a great trainer. He proves with different types of teams that he can manage to be champion.He is sophisticated, absolutely. It's a pleasure to work with him.
"I have an absolutely warm relationship with him, but if you know the trainer and the man, he is very straight to everybody. I think that's very important if you play high-level soccer that you are very straight with people. Some people say he is like a general, some say he is a nice man, and every human being is not the same, you know. I work with a lot of pleasure with him, I still work with him absolutely. I can only have positive words for Van Gaal."