Rival managers pay tribute to Ferguson

Premier League managers have paid tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson as he celebrates 25 years in charge of Manchester United.

Ferguson took over at Old Trafford on November 6 1986 and has won the UEFA Champions League twice, 12 English Premier League titles and five FA Cups.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish, who has had his fair share of run-ins with Ferguson over the years, said his rival had been a remarkable success at United in light of the shape the club was in when he took the helm.

“He’s been fantastic for Manchester United,” Dalglish said. “I think he’s even surpassed the legend that was Sir Matt Busby in his achievements and success he’s had.”

“To be anywhere for 25 years is unbelievable and to have had the success he’s got is great testimony to himself and the football club. When you remember where the football club was when he came in, I think it’s a fantastic achievement where he’s taken them to now.”

“I don’t think you would have seen Fergie lasting 25 years, would you, when he came in?”

“Nobody can ever take away the achievements that he’s had.”

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas echoed Dalglish’s sentiments.

“For any manager to stay at a club for 25 years is fantastic,” Villas-Boas said.

“It shows that there is a tremendous amount of trust in Sir Alex’s talent and I think that he has repaid that with a tremendous amount of success for the club.”

Queens Park Rangers boss Neil Warnock said Ferguson is a marvel for the way he has been consistently able to reinvent United for a quarter of a century.

“He’s not had it all his own way, he’s had to make team after team after team,” Warnock said.

“He’s got rid of players at the right time.”

“He’s the greatest manager of my era, and there have been some top managers. He’s gone about it his own way too.”

Ferguson’s old sparring partner Arsene Wenger said the Scot’s longevity would not be seen again.

“The only thing you can say is that it is remarkable for the quality and the consistency,” Wenger said.

“It’s exceptional because I don’t know anyone that has done 25 years at the top level in the same club and, certainly, nobody will ever do it again.”

Ferguson, who turns 70 on December 31, likened his run to a fairy tale, and said he considered himself lucky to have managed some of the brightest talent the game had to offer.

“I’ve been very fortunate to have some of the best players in the game,” the Scotsman said. “When I look back at these players, I think how fortunate I am.”

“It’s incredible, you take a list of the players, right from the very start. Bryan Robson, Norman Whiteside and then through to Brian McClair and Mark Hughes. (Paul) Ince, (Roy) Keane – God, (Eric) Cantona. What a collection of players, of fantastic players.”

“It’s hard to think I was actually in control of all these players for so long, and to the present day with players like we’ve seen today.”

“It’s been a really fantastic spell for me. It’s something you don’t think is really going to happen. It’s a bit of a fairy tale to last so long and I appreciate that. I will continue as long as I feel healthy enough to do it.”