Danny Lennon reckons his former St Mirren lieutenant Austin MacPhee is just the man to bridge the generation gap at Hearts.
The Jambos have named 30-year-old Ian Cathro as Robbie Neilson's successor, making him Scotland's youngest manager.
His new assistant MacPhee is just seven years older and some critics have already suggested the pair will struggle because of a lack of top-team experience.
But Lennon - who is credited with handing MacPhee his big break in football after giving the Fifer coaching jobs at Cowdenbeath and St Mirren, posts which eventually saw him hired by Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill - reckons he will be able to connect with the Jambos youngsters better than an older boss could.
He told Press Association Sport: "Austin can certainly read the strengths and weaknesses of individual players and a team and while I don't know Ian a great deal I'm sure they will marry off together very well.
"I know there has been people questioning whether they are ready for a job like Hearts but these guys aren't just being flung in at the deep end. They have been out there and worked with some top players. Austin has worked with Northern Ireland at the Euros and Ian has gained some great experiences at places like Valencia. I don't see that lack of experience as managers being a problem.
"I first met Austin at a training course and we were together for 10 days. Right away I just took to his mannerisms, he made me laugh and I loved the way he coached.
"I decided then to bring him in to Cowdenbeath and he has just developed since then.
"But just because Austin and Ian haven't had big playing careers shouldn't hold them back. I've seen top players go into management and struggle in the past because they didn't have the people skills you need.
"Certainly with Austin, he has worked alongside players - even guys with egos - but from my experience at St Mirren, I found he was great with them all. He was younger than I was and not much far off some of the guys he was coaching so he could relate to them better than a different generation could.
"The game has changed these days. Yes the manager has the final decision but the days have gone when the gaffer is always right. You need to be leading the players to share your vision and buying into what you're doing. That is what Austin is fantastic at doing."
O'Neill has credited MacPhee with playing a major part in the success which took Northern Ireland to last summer's European Championships.
His achievements across the Irish Sea made him a leading contender for the SFA's performance director role.
But Lennon was not surprised to see MacPhee opt for the day-to-day involvement his Gorgie role offers.
"It was no surprise to me he was a coach in demand as his football knowledge is outstanding, as is his coaching ability," he said. "Hearts are very fortunate he chose them.
"I've no doubt that if Robbie Neilson hadn't gone to MK Dons, Austin would have taken the performance director job but I can also understand that guys who have not played at a top level will want to get involved with top players day to day."
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