Sylvinho was appointed to succeed Bruno Genesio at the Groupama Stadium this summer on the recommendation of Lyon's new sporting director Juninho Pernambucano.

It is the ex-Barcelona, Arsenal and Manchester City full-back's first senior coaching role, and he has kicked off his reign with back-to-back league wins.

Edmilson is convinced it is only the start of an extended spell of success, especially as Sylvinho had the chance to work with Guardiola during the current Manchester City manager's benchmark spell at the Camp Nou.

"I think Sylvinho will do really well, not because he's my friend but because he's so well prepared. Some people are saying Sylvo is unknown. Sylvo won the Champions League twice, he worked with Guardiola in a great Barcelona side, he was at Manchester City, so he has experience!" explained the 2002 FIFA World Cup winner.

"People in Ligue 1 may not know Sylvinho but he's good. He had two years working a Brazil’s assistant coach. You know these days head coach and assistant coach is almost the same job. The assistant does most of the work, the head coach just drinks his tea or coffee and the no. 2 works, that’s the way it is."

Edmilson joined Lyon in 2000 and was united with Juninho 12 months later as the pair played pivotal roles in the first three of the club's seven successive league titles before Edmilson moved to Barcelona.

Juninho too has no experience in a backroom role, but again Edmilson is certain his ex-club and international teammate will flourish.

"It's his first big job. He has experience as a player, he knows Lyon better than anyone," he said. "But even if he was a great player and the kind of Lyon, he needs to prove to people and to himself that he can do a great job in this role."