Ghana striker, Jordan Ayew, has praised former Zambia and Ivory Coast coach, Herve Renard, for playing a pivotal role in his career as a footballer.
Ayew and Renard worked together during their days at Sochaux, where the 29-year-old spent a season on loan in 2014.
Renard, who is now head coach of the French national female team urged the then Olympique Marseille striker to work hard if he is to get a chance at his boyhood club.
"I've been with some top coaches. Herve was more like a father figure to me. He took me at a young age and made me understand the basics in the game. He was always onto me. He was hard on me. Sometimes when you're young, you get upset but when you look back, you realise that was the best thing," the Crystal Palace striker told Sky Sports.
Ayew went on to thank France manager Didier Deschamps for giving him his Marseille debut.
"He told me what I needed to work on and what I needed to improve on. I can't be more thankful to Didier Deschamps because he gave me my first chance in the professional world at Marseille. All these people are part of my success," added Ayew.
Jordan Ayew grabbed his first assist of the season as Palace stunned Sheffield United to secure a narrow 1-0.
He is expected to come alive when they host Arsenal at Selhurst Park on Monday night.