Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers feels that Louis van Gaal's place as one of football's great managers is secure regardless of what happens during his reign at Manchester United.
Van Gaal was appointed at Manchester United in the summer and has kept the Red Devils firmly on course for a spot in next season's Champions League; they currently sit fourth and two points ahead of fifth placed Liverpool.
However, Manchester United's performances under Van Gaal have been roundly criticised and the Dutchman has been accused of departing from the club's traditional playing style by instituting slow, possession-based football.
They also face a battle to remain in the top four until the end of the season, with challenges from Liverpool, Tottenham and Southampton.
But Rodgers rates Van Gaal highly and believes that whatever he does in his spell with the Red Devils, his reputation and standing in the game will not be affected.
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"He has shown over his career that he is a top class manager", Rodgers told a press conference.
"He will have seen coming into this country for the first time the challenges of this football, the most competitive in the world, it's fierce.
"You can't argue about his credentials, the philosophy he put in place at Ajax, Barcelona, Alkmaar, his achievements.
"If he left Manchester United, whenever he does, he will still have been one of the great managers, there's no question about that."
Van Gaal has won league titles in the Netherlands, Germany and Spain. Rodgers' Liverpool host the Dutchman's Manchester United this coming Sunday at Anfield.
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