Nottingham Forest defender Michael Dawson says head coach Sabri Lamouchi reminds him of Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino.
Argentine Pochettino has been in charge of the Premier League side for the past five years, with Spurs regularly challenging for a top three spot and making the Champions League final last season.
Dawson crossed paths with him briefly, before leaving the club in August 2014 for Hull City.
And now the centre-back is working with Lamouchi at the City Ground, he says the two managers have a similar approach to the game.
Asked if the Reds chief, who was appointed in June for his first job in English football, reminded him of anyone, Dawson said: “I had a short spell with Mauricio at Spurs before I left, and yes, his thoroughness, his way of playing…
“That takes time. You’ve got to get the right players and the right blend - and he’s doing that.
“We’re all still learning. He’s learning as well; he’s the first to say that.
“But he’s great to work with - his energy, his willingness to learn the league.
“He talks about all the (Forest) goals from last year that he’s watched - conceded and scored.
“There’s nothing left uncovered when we go into games.”
He added: “You see the way the younger managers are now - the Scott Parkers of the world. The way they believe in playing is getting the ball out from the back, getting passes and tiring teams out.
“That’s what we’ve got to improve at. We’re trying. He’s getting his methods across to all of us.”
Lamouchi has overseen a seven-match unbeaten run during Forest’s first month of the season, with an opening day reverse at home to West Bromwich Albion their only defeat.
They sit 10th in the Championship and are through to the third round of the Carabao Cup, where they will play Arsenal.
Dawson has played a key part in that promising opening to the campaign, holding down a starting spot in the heart of the defence, having spent much of last term sidelined through injury.
And he has been impressed with the way Lamouchi has overseen matches from the touchline, making substitutions which can change games.
He did that against Preston North End at the weekend, when Samba Sow, Joao Carvalho and Albert Adomah came off the bench to make a difference - the latter two combining for Adomah to score the equaliser in a 1-1 draw.
“Tactically you have to be like that as managers, you have to be able to change things,” said Dawson.
“When I’ve stood on the sidelines for a couple of games you can see it’s relentless. It’s hard. You’ve got to be able to see what needs doing and change formations to cope with teams you’re playing against.
“You’ve got to give teams respect and credit.
“He’s great. I’m loving working with him.
“He’s looking after me and I’m playing games, so long may it continue.”
