Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has paid the ultimate compliment to Sir Alex Ferguson after naming the Manchester United legend in his top three managers of all time.
Ferguson’s prolific career, both in England and Scotland, has forever etched his name in the history books as one of the best managers in the history of the sport.
The legendary former United manager lifted Scottish First Division titles with both St Mirren and Aberdeen ahead of replacing Ron Atkinson at Old Trafford in 1986.
Ferguson hit another major milestone with Aberdeen when he led the Scottish side to the 1983 European Cup Winners’ Cup with a sensational win over Real Madrid.
During his illustrious 26-year reign at United, Ferguson captured 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, five FA Cups and four League Cups.
Ferguson’s efforts to land a further two Champions League titles to his trophy collection at United were thwarted by none other than Guardiola himself.
Guardiola’s formidable Barcelona side defeated United 2-0 in the 2009 Champions League final before Ferguson’s men suffered a 3-1 loss to the Spanish side in 2011.
Guardiola ranks Ferguson in his top three picks
Ferguson, who once revealed the five legendary players that couldn’t be left out of a United side, called it time on his career at the end of the 2012-13 season.
The 81-year-old iconic Scotsman holds Guardiola in high regard and had even wanted the 52-year-old Spaniard to take over at Old Trafford after his retirement.
Speaking during a fan Q&A on Sky Sports, Guardiola was asked who was the best manager of all time and the City boss immediately responded with Ferguson.
Guardiola said that Barcelona and Ajax icon Johan Cruyff would be a “close” second to Ferguson, as well as naming AC Milan legend Arrigo Sacchi as his third pick.
“Sir Alex Ferguson, I would say. And after close, close, I would say Johan Cruyff, [then] I would say Arrigo Sacchi,” he said.
“It’s not just the titles [referring to Sacchi], it’s the influence. Arrigo Sacchi, for example, didn’t win my titles or Sir Alex’s or the other one, but he changed generations of managers, generations of players and the way they played was unique.
“Johan Cruyff changed two clubs — Ajax and Barcelona — [and] his influence. Me in Barcelona it was a little bit where we go, where we go, [and I] said, ‘Okay, guys, we’re going to [go] in that way.’
“And you have to be a huge personality, huge belief and, for me, they are the best.”
When asked if Ferguson was his No 1 ahead of Cruyff and Sacchi, Guardiola continued: “Yeah. For the amount of consistency, for the amount of titles, for the amount of change, you know the dynamics, but here… it’s close.”
Where does Guardiola see himself in debate with Ferguson?
Guardiola’s illustrious managerial career has often pitted him in the conversation as one of the best managers in the history of football.
The City head coach enjoyed a prolific trophy-laden four seasons at Barcelona before he took a sabbatical, with Guardiola later becoming Bayern Munich manager.
Since his arrival in England in 2016, Guardiola has enjoyed incredible success at United’s crosstown rivals and has led City to five Premier League titles to date.
The former Bayern and Barcelona manager also matched a feat that only Ferguson had previously achieved in England after City secured a continental treble.
When asked about people putting him in the ‘GOAT’ conversation with the likes of Ferguson, Guardiola responded: “I’m still on, so when I retire, I will be… I don’t know where the people will be there and put it in the position, but when you are on, you still have to do your career, so yeah.”