Kluivert won the tournament under Van Gaal at Ajax in 1995 and was later signed by the Dutch coach for Barcelona, where he also worked with Mourinho.

At that time, Mourinho was an assistant to Van Gaal. The two now square up in tomorrow's Champions League final in Madrid and Kluivert believes it will be a unique occasion for the Inter Milan coach.

"It will be absolutely special for Mourinho, for sure," he told Press Association Sport.

"Mourinho was a student of Van Gaal and he learnt a lot from him, and he wants to beat him."

And Kluivert has a feeling the student will succeed in handing out a lesson to the master on this occasion.

"Who's going to win?" he continued. "It's difficult for both teams and it's hard to pick a winner. But I think Inter will win.

"I don't know why but I have a slight feeling. It's not that I hope they will win, I have no preference, but I think they will be difficult to beat."

Kluivert, speaking recently at FIFA's Interactive World Cup in Barcelona, anticipates an absorbing encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu.

He said: "It will be interesting and I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of tactics and system they are going to adopt - it will be really surprising to see how they are going to play.

"The final is one game; you can't wait until you have to play a second leg, so it will be a very interesting match."

Nevertheless, the former Holland striker is predicting a battle of wits and tactics on the night.

"We'll have to wait and see who is going to play more offensively, because I think they are both going to wait until the second half begins and then try to score an early goal, so the tactics will be very important for both sides," he said.

As for his former club Barcelona, Kluivert believes failure to make the final this time around was merely a blip for Pep Guardiola's side.

He said: "They are a great team with a great trainer - they'll be back."