Michael Mancienne says Brendan Rodgers benefitted greatly from learning under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea.
Rodgers left Reading to become head of Chelsea's academy in 2004 after being recommended to Mourinho by Steve Clarke.
Two years later Rodgers was promoted to reserve team manager, where he fostered the young talents of Mancienne, Ryan Bertrand and Jack Cork.
The Northern Irishman left Stamford Bridge in 2008 for Watford and has since cultivated an impressive managerial CV, including stints at Reading, Swansea City, Liverpool and Celtic.
Rodgers has now transformed Leicester City into title contenders after moving south from Glasgow in February.
The Foxes lie second on the table, eight points behind leaders Liverpool and ahead of Manchester City and Chelsea.
Having worked with Rodgers personally, Mancienne told Tribalfootball it was obvious the 46-year-old would succeed at the top, especially with the help of perennial winner Mourinho.
"Most definitely [you could see Rodgers' potential]," New England Revolution defender Mancienne said.
"To be honest at the time he was learning from one of the best managers in the world in Jose Mourinho. I think he picked up a lot of things from him.
"But Brendan as a coach was great. His training sessions were really good, really enjoyable.
"You could always tell he had the potential to go on and do big things and he has."
Rodgers' work at Leicester City hasn't gone unnoticed by his Premier League rivals.
Spurs were reportedly interested in his signature before swapping Mauricio Pochettino for Jose Mourinho a fortnight ago.
Now that Arsenal have parted ways with Unai Emery, Rodgers is reportedly one of the top contenders to replace him.
The Telegraph reported over the weekend that Leicester would demand at least £14m from Arsenal to recruit Rodgers.
Speaking after Sunday's win over Everton, Rodgers acknowledged there could be such a clause, but insisted he was content at the King Power.
"Listen, there are probably clauses in most managers' contracts," he said.
"It's all hypothetical. We got a brilliant win. We came back very well.
"I made a change eight, nine months ago. I feel so happy. We still have a lot of work to do.
"I've been very fortunate to work with some brilliant clubs and great institutions. The ambition was to help the club to arrive in the top six."
