Man City boss Roberto Mancini has paid tribute to his managerial opponent.
Retiring Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is the best manager of his generation, according to Manchester City’s Roberto Mancini.
Mancini has joined the thousands of others who have paid tribute to Ferguson after the Scot announced on Wednesday that his 27-year spell at United would finish at the end of this season.
The Man City manager revealed he sent a message to Sir Alex after his announcement and was keen to praise the 71-year-old.
“It has been a great honour and pleasure to compete against Sir Alex for three years” Mancini was quoted in the Guardian.
“I don’t think there will be another manager like him. It is difficult to say Sir Alex is the best [ever] but he is the best in the last 27 years.”
The decision from Fergie to step down after more than a quarter of a century in the red half of Manchester has stolen the limelight away from his city rivals, who face Wigan in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
However, Mancini wasn’t going to let the most successful manager in English history get away completely Scott Free and ensured City fans would have something to smile about with an underhand compliment.
“It was a great honour to beat him in Old Trafford [1-6 in 2011/12 and 1-2 this season] and I wish him good luck for his future.”
The Italian will be up against new man at the Theatre of Dreams David Moyes next season – presuming Mancini is still at Eastlands – as the Premier League prepares to see a different face in the home dugout at Old Trafford for the first time since 1986.
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