Jim Magilton has hailed Kieran McKenna as an "outstanding coach" who he expects to shine at Ipswich Town.
McKenna was appointed Ipswich boss in December, signing a three-and-a-half-year deal at Portman Road.
The Fermanagh man had remained at Manchester United following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s departure last November and had been working as part of Ralf Rangnick’s backroom staff at Old Trafford.
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McKenna was regarded as one of the most talented coaches at United, but the 35-year-old came in for criticism amid the Premier League club's struggles prior to Solksjaer's exit.
Now he is plotting a promotion push with Ipswich, with Saturday's 2-0 win over Fleetwood Town keeping the Tractor Boys in the hunt for a play-off spot this season.
"Kieran is an outstanding coach," Magilton told Belfast Live's That's What I Call Football podcast.
"In all the years I have been working in the game, he is one of the most outstanding coaches I ever worked with. And I only had him for a week (with Northern Ireland Under 21s).
"It's his knowledge. He is obsessed with the game and he thinks about it constantly. He is obsessive.
"He had to choose something after having a career-ending injury when he was young. He has been a coach for such a long time and he has added incredible experiences along the way.
"Those experiences at Manchester United have been invaluable for him."
Ipswich legend Magilton can appreciate the pressure and expectation that will be placed on McKenna at Portman Road.
The former Northern Ireland midfielder spent seven years at the club as a player, helping them reach the promised land of the Premier League.
His first managerial appointment was also with Ipswich where he spent three years at the helm.
And believes his former club is the "perfect fit" for McKenna.
"The club chose him and he chose that club. Ipswich Town is a fabulous club and is a perfect fit for Kieran," he added.
"Because they talk about development and they talk about bringing young players through. Well, part of Kieran's background and a large chunk of his coaching background is about developing players.
"Now he's had the opportunity at first-team level at Manchester United, and he now has the reins of a wonderful club and I hope they give him time.
"Huge pressure given the history of the club but he is an outstanding coach and I hope he does really well."
Magilton recalled working with McKenna with Northern Ireland's Under 21s a few years ago.
He said: "Kieran is one of those who listens to every conversation. Even the way we wanted to set up, he would come the next morning and produce a schedule.
"It would be a collection of everyone's thoughts and he would relay that to you perfectly.
"That's through repetition, coaching and 24/7 football. He probably never switches off, and that's the way you have to be at that level of the game, and that level of football club like Manchester United.
"And now he's bringing those thoughts to Ipswich Town and I think it is a nice marriage and a recipe for success."
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