Artane native Des McAleenan, now the Colombian goalkeeping coach under the ex-Manchester United Carlos Queiroz, was a colourful guest on the Football Show on Wednesday's Off The Ball with Joe Molloy.
McAleenan has enjoyed a thoroughly varied career working with several big names of both the coaching and goalkeeping worlds.
The Dubliner coached future United and Everton stopper Tim Howard the year that the American got into the national side.
McAleenan, unlike Roy Keane, has high praise for his current boss, Carlos Queiroz.
"I'm a huge Van Morrison fan," says McAleenan, "you could throw Queiroz into that category. He's about year after year, he needs to work.
"He doesn't ride off into the sunset and count his money. He loves to work, he's wise, he has a passion for the game, great knowledge, great teacher.
According to McAleenan, Queiroz still holds a candle for his former employers: "He's a great lover of all things Manchester United and I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to have met him at this stage of his life."
Carlos Queiroz - a lovely man
McAleenan dishes out praise and insults with equal alacrity, and while the Colombia coach's reputation for seriousness isn't misplaced, the Artane man clearly has a soft spot for Queiroz.
"I have worked with some dicks, I wouldn't put it any other way," says the goalkeeping coach, before continuing, "you wouldn't want to take Carlos lightly, but he's a lovely man.
"He's a lovely man, he's wise and I think I've got a good bond with him and he loves his music.
"He loves the Beatles, he's got some great stories. Everyone thinks he's Portuguese, he's not, he's from Mozambique, so his heart and soul is African.
"And he's got an amazing track record, he was the father of coaching in Portugal. He's inspired a whole generation of famous coaches, anyone who is cutting their teeth now are all following in his footsteps.
"Carlos is held in great reverence and he understands British football as well as anyone, he has a great passion for it.
"When he went to Real Madrid, maybe it wasn't the right time to go, but when Real Madrid come calling, you cannot turn them down.
"He was very beloved by Ferguson. He's solid, he's a good guy, a true football man. It's a great pleasure to work with him, especially at this stage of his career.
"I hope he has another gig in him, I'd love to work with him after this."
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