Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has branded arch-rival Sir Alex Ferguson's 25-year reign at Manchester United as 'unbelievable'.
Reds manager and Bruce heap praise on Old Trafford counterpart
Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has branded arch-rival Sir Alex Ferguson's 25-year reign at Manchester United as 'unbelievable'.
Ferguson will mark a quarter of a century in charge at Old Trafford this weekend.
In that time he has won a staggering 37 trophies, including the UEFA Champions League twice, the Premier League 12 times as well as five FA Cups and four League Cups.
Dominant
It has been well documented that the Scot was believed to be close to being sacked - something he disputes - before he had won a thing until Mark Robins scored in an FA Cup third-round tie at Nottingham Forest in 1990.
Since then he has gone on to make United the dominant team of the last two decades - a fact which Dalglish said could not be ignored.
"He has been fantastic for Manchester United and I think he has even surpassed the legend that was Sir Matt Busby with the achievements and success he has had," said Ferguson's fellow Glaswegian.
"To be anywhere for 25 years is unbelievable and every success he has had is testament to him and the football club.
"When you remember where the football club was when he came in I think it is a fantastic achievement where he has taken them to now."
Asked whether he thought any manager would remain at one club for 25 years in the current climate Dalglish added: "I don't think you would have seen Fergie lasting 25 years when he came in until Mark Robins scored with a header at Notts Forest.
"But whether anyone does it in future is irrelevant - no-one can take away the achievement he has had."
Fellow Premier League manager Steve Bruce predicts 69-year-old Ferguson's all-conquering reign at United will never be bettered.
The Sunderland boss, who served as Ferguson's captain at Old Trafford as he launched his dynasty, will head back to familiar territory on Saturday as the Black Cats provide the opposition for the Red Devils.
Demands
Asked if, when he first pulled on the famous red shirt, he would have expected the man he even now calls "boss" still to be going strong a quarter of a century on, he said on Thursday: "No, I don't think anybody would.
"To do 25 years? It will never be done again, never, especially at a club like Manchester United, where the huge demands on you are quite incredible.
"But he seems to thrive on it. I spoke to him this morning at 7.40am, which is typical of him.
"A game last night and he is in the office at 7.40am this morning, which is quite remarkable."
