Former Manchester United striker, Wayne Rooney, has noted that former boss, Sir Alex Ferguson’s man-management skills set him apart as the greatest manager in football history.
Rooney, now at Everton, spent nine years under the Scot’s guidance at Old Trafford between 2004 and 2013.
The 75-year-old coach retired after 27 years as United boss.
The striker and Ferguson clashed on a number of occasions with Rooney handing in a transfer request towards the end of the Scot’s reign.
But speaking with Monday Night Football, Rooney said, “His man-management without a doubt [was his biggest strength].
“As a manager he was the best but his man-management was something which a lot of other managers would struggle to match. He knew how to speak to players, how to get a reaction.
“He’s the only manager that could leave someone out and make them feel good about it – he was incredible.
“He knew how to get a reaction out of me. So many times at half-time I had played well and others in the dressing room hadn’t but he’d come for me.
“He knew there’d be a shouting match but it’d get a reaction from me.
“If he did it to another player – for example Nani – he knew he’d lose the player but he just knew the right thing to do with different players.”
