Former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has hailed soon-to-be Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini as one of the best in the business.

The Chilean is expected to be named as Roberto Mancini's successor in the coming days.

Van Nistelrooy, who played under Pellegrini at Read Madrid and Malaga, believes that his former boss will be a success in the Etihad hot seat.

"My experience was very good on a professional and personal level and I rate him very highly," Sky Sports News quotes the Dutchman as saying. "I don't know what his plans are, I only know the way he works and as a person and he is up there with the best.

"I think he proved with Villarreal most of all - and Malaga - he could build a team and get things moving and he can create a structural culture at the club where things get better.

"In that sense, and me saying this as an ex-United player, he will build something at City."

Pellegrini has already announced his decision to leave Malaga.