Rene Meulensteen’s training methods can win points for Martin Jol

“He is truly one of the best coaches in the world. I have had a lot of good trainers, but it is the way he prepares our team for games. Every match is different, so every training session in the build-up to games is unique.

“We know exactly what to expect and he wins points for us through his training. We have won a lot of games by the odd goal and they are point winners, which we train for.”

Meulensteen, who retired from a playing career in the Dutch lower leagues at the age of 29, started his coaching career at NEC Nijmegen before spending time in Qatar, running the national Under-18s team and several club sides.

After joining United in 2001, he had an influential role in overhauling the coaching methods of the club’s Academy. He had a short spell in charge of Brondby in 2006 but returned to United as a skills coach in 2007.

He became increasingly involved with the senior team and players including Ryan Giggs and Ruud van Nistelrooy benefited from personal sessions.

Meulensteen, who was influential in three Premier League titles and one Champions League success during his five-year spell as first-team coach at United, will help bring the best out of the under-performing Dimitar Berbatov, with whom he has already worked at Old Trafford. The Bulgarian has scored only once this season and but could benefit from similar sessions.

It remains to be seen how influential Meulensteen will be and how much say he will have in team selection and player recruitment. Jol retaining sole status as the No1 is crucial. Liverpool’s experimental and risky appointment of Roy Evans and Gerard Houllier as joint managers in 1998 proved disastrous. Evans resigned barely five months later.

Fulham posted a picture on their official Twitter feed of the two compatriots smiling and the pair’s relationship will be vital. Fulham are in the Premier League relegation zone and Khan will expect to see an immediate upturn in results, starting with next weekend’s home game against Swansea.