Retiring Robins in Fergie snub

Mark Robins has retired and delivered a snub to Sir Alex Ferguson by revealing Martin O'Neill is the best manager he has ever worked under.

The 34-year-old striker, often credited with the goal that saved Ferguson's job when he headed United to victory at Nottingham Forest in January, 1990, wants to stay in the game in a coaching capacity after a knee injury curtailed his plans to continue scoring in the lower divisions.

His most recent club was Sheffield Wednesday but Robins also represented the likes of Norwich City and Leicester City.

"I've always had a strong desire to become a manager," he said. "In fact, I'll never forget when I was at United and Sir Alex Ferguson said to me on the training field: 'If anyone's going to make it as a manager, then it will be you.'

"It was an off-the-cuff remark but hopefully he'll be proved right.

"I'm just finishing off my Uefa B badge and then I plan to do my Uefa A qualification after that.

"I've played under some great managers such as Ferguson, Martin O'Neill at Leicester and Ronnie Moore at Rotherham.

"I've learned a lot from all of them but I'd have to say Martin was the best manager that I have played under, from a personal point of view.

"He has this almost unique ability to get a group of players together and transform them into a team of winners."

Robins is now on the look-out for a coaching role and claims Sheffield Wednesday have already suggested he could retain a place at Hillsborough in that capacity.