Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards made a bold claim on Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson after an interesting question from Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker.
Ferguson, who retired in 2013, is widely considered one of the best managers of all time after a prolific career in Scotland with Aberdeen and in England with United.
The 82-year-old Scotsman ushered in a dynasty of success at Old Trafford and captured a whopping 38 trophies with United during his 26 years at the club.
Ferguson had a long-lasting impact at United and has been widely hailed for his time in football, with Pep Guardiola once dropping the ultimate compliment about him.
However, the legendary former United boss is not considered the outright ‘GOAT’ football manager by some, despite his incredible achievements at Old Trafford.
The likes of Rinus Michels, Johan Cruyff, Arrigo Sacchi and City boss Guardiola are among the many figures who have been placed in the so-called GOAT debate.
City match United’s treble feat
Speaking on The Rest Is Football, Richards, Lineker and Alan Shearer sat down for their awards ceremony episode and the trio discussed the best coach of 2023.
Guardiola enjoyed a remarkable season with City in the 2022-23 campaign after his side became the second English team in history to win a continental treble.
City retained the Premier League trophy before defeating United in the FA Cup final, with Guardiola’s men subsequently lifting their first Champions League title.
Guardiola’s treble winners added the Super Cup and Club World Cup to their trophy cabinet, with City completing a five-trophy haul before the end of 2023.
Richards on Ferguson vs Guardiola
Richards, Lineker and Shearer unanimously agreed that City manager Guardiola was the best coach of 2023 after his accomplishments with the Premier League side.
However, Lineker went one step further and asked his fellow podcast co-hosts if Guardiola is the best coach of all time and Richards wasted no time in reacting.
Richards claimed that Ferguson was “always my number one from my era,” but the former City player is convinced that Guardiola has now eclipsed the United legend.
“It’s subjective, but I would say in the modern era yes,” he said.
“His Barcelona side, they won the treble.”
Lineker interjected and added: “[He won] five trophies with them as well, I think, the same as he has done with Manchester City in 2023.”
Responding to Lineker, Richards continued: “But that’s what I mean, I just believe he evolved the game so much, and that’s no disrespect to the other managers.
“I really liked Fergie even though – or Sir Alex Ferguson, shall I say – I really liked the way he could sort of galvanise his teams. You always knew something special was gonna happen and they would fight to the end.
“And that’s coming from someone who plays for City.
“Fergie was always my number one from my era, but just the way the game’s transformed, I would have to say Pep.”
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