Ruud Gullit has spoken fondly of friend, Everton manager and “busy b*llocks” Ronald Koeman.
Koeman was appointed Everton manager in the summer after succeeding during his two years at Southampton, and has quickly reinvigorated the Toffees.
Everton finished 11th under Roberto Martinez last season, but have guided into sixth place after ten games under the Dutchman.
A 2-0 victory over West Ham lifted them to within four points of the Champions League places, and Gullit is impressed with his former teammate.
Gullit played with Koeman at Feyenoord and with the Netherlands national team, and when asked whether he expected the defender to become a manager, he replied: “Yes, because he has that way.
“He’s very quiet, he knows exactly what to do,” he added, speaking to MOTD2.
“He was not the quickest player, but he was always anticipating everything so that he doesn’t need to slide tackle and things like that.
“Then we did a course, for our coaching badges in Holland. And then I see him there with his pencil case, he gets all kinds of colours of the rainbow out of it! And I’m thinking ‘why the hell are you doing that?!’
“He’s got his sheets with different colours and I’m thinking ‘OK, busy b******s!’ It was unbelievable.
“But he became a manager, and this is how he is. The guy I know from when I was young.
“He has the ability to say things in a quiet way, a nice way, so there’s that man-management side with him.
“It’s like (Carlo) Ancelotti. It’s the guy you like. He’s not a shouter, he’s not screaming, he’s not standing on the outside. He’s just telling you the things exactly how they are. Very methodical, very easy-going.
“I like him as a person. For us, when he was a sweeper, he was not quick, but he never needed to slide because he always anticipated the situation. That’s what he will expect from other players.
“He’s just a good, genuine guy and I think that when you are a player you want to play for him. Especially with the experience that he has – the cup with the big ears – that helps, huh?!”