Philipp Lahm has credited Louis van Gaal with ushering in a new era of dominance for Bayern Munich.
The Manchester United manager spent two seasons in charge of the German giants, guiding them to a league and cup double before departing in April 2011.
Van Gaal was not a universally popular figure in Bavaria, but Lahm says it was the Dutchman who kickstarted Bayern's recent success at home and abroad.
"He introduced a clearer focus on tactics and our modern style was born," the World Cup winner told The Sunday Times.
"He's a real hard worker. it's difficult to go right into the smallest details of tactics but Van Gaal is willing to. Not everyone liked it, but I love tactics, so it was interesting to me.
"Van Gaal would admit to making mistakes here - or maybe not - but he was the right man at the right time for Bayern."
Lahm and his team-mates will be in England next week for the Champions League game against Arsenal.