Buchanan, who presided over Australia's most successful era between 1999 and 2007, was subtle but pointed in an entry on his coaching website on Saturday.

He was responding to Clarke's book, in which Clarke had suggested that his dog Jerry could have coached Australia to success during the time of Buchanan's reign, such was the strength of the team at the time.

Clarke had also hit out at former teammates Andrew Symonds and Matthew Hayden in the book - Ashes Diary 2015 - released last week.

In a measured response, Buchanan both defended himself, and tried to steer Clarke towards personal improvement, notwithstanding the fact that Clarke, 34, is no longer an international cricketer.

"Being a captain, coach, corporate leader is not easy. Each is driven by a relentless passion to inspire others to succeed. The leadership skills that accompany these roles are demanding and complex," Buchanan wrote.

"The opportunity to continue to learn these skills is always available, and hopefully Michael will continue to take these opportunities as they will be presented in his future life and careers."

Buchanan cited the example of former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw - who himself retired last week - as the type of leader that Clarke should seek to emulate.

"There would be precious few people around the world who would say that Richie McCaw did not distinguish himself on the field as well as off. As captain, he led a team that performed at the highest level with a winning record verging on 90%. As a leader, he inspired all those around him, and all those that followed him."

Clarke had claimed that Buchanan didn't know anything about the baggy green, "having never worn one".

"He's still living off the fact that he coached a team that anyone, even my dog Jerry, could have coached to world domination," Clarke wrote.

But Buchanan, who played first-class cricket for Queensland, acknowledged that while he hadn't played for Australia, he still appreciated what was special about the baggy green cap, noting the special ceremonies he introduced in which Test debutants would have their caps presented by Australian cricket "legends".

"The role of the coach in this environment is such that the person is a leader, a manager, a mentor, a parent, a friend, at all different times, in different circumstances, and for different people – the art is to know when to adopt the correct role, and how to deliver it," Buchanan wrote.