Tottenham forward Clint Dempsey has voiced his respect for manager Mark Hughes as he prepares to go up against his former boss on Sunday.
Dempsey has fond memories of working under Hughes at former club Fulham before they went their separate ways, and the American says the 48-year-old showed glimpses of the talent that made him a star with Manchester United in training with the Cottagers.
He said: "We'd be doing shooting practice and he'd say 'let me jump in real quick' and he hits it in the top corner and you go 'oh man, he still has it!'
"It was good to see that. He still had the hunger for the game. He also did a good job of treating everybody equally. It didn't seem like there were favourites. That's what I liked about him as a manager.
"He was a good guy. A great manager. We did really well with him.
"It was a good working environment and it was sad to see him go. I'm sure he'll continue to achieve good things."
Dempsey admits he was sad his time at Fulham ended on a sour note after leaving in the summer but is looking forward to a new challenge at Spurs.
He said: "I was disappointed with the way things ended at Fulham for me after five and a half years, and they were good times, I look back on it with a smile on my face, great memories.
"I wish it could have ended in a different way but that's in the past and now I'm excited about my time here.
"I'm excited, although I am gutted I didn't get my goal against Lazio in the week."
