Manchester United assistant coach Carlos Queiroz has been credited with playing a part in Ecuador's success in reaching the World Cup knockout stages.
Ecuador coach Luis Suarez and Queiroz met before the competition started.
"It was a great learning experience from him and very uplifting," said Les Dickens, a consultant to the Ecuador football federation.
"Suarez came away with a better understanding of European teams after meeting Queiroz."
Dickens is a long-time friend of Ecuador's Colombian coach and went to Old Trafford with him for the meeting with Queiroz.
Prior to the start of the tournament, Ecuador had been written off as prospective qualifiers for the last 16 because during qualification they had had the advantage of playing their home matches in Quito - 2,850 metres above sea level.
Suarez wanted to find out from Queiroz the best way to cope with European conditions and teams.
"It was important for Suarez going into the greatest tournament in the world to see one of the best training centres anywhere in football," added Dickens.
"The visit was certainly worthwhile, you just have to look at how Ecuador played when they defeated Poland."
Ecuador only need a draw from their game against hosts Germany in Berlin on Tuesday to top Group A and will face either England or Sweden in the last 16.
Queiroz left Old Trafford in the summer of 2003 to take over as Real Madrid coach but it proved to be an ill-fated move and he returned as United boss Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant after one season in Spain.