Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson |
Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he was happy to see Arsene Wenger end Arsenal's trophy drought in May - but insists nobody will beat his 26-year Manchester United reign.
The Gunners defeated Hull 3-2 in the FA Cup final, to pick up their first silverware for nine years and in turn lift a huge weight off the Frenchman's shoulders.
And Ferguson, speaking in a new updated version of his autobiography, has expressed his happiness at his old rival's success.
The legendary Scot said: "Everyone was happy for him winning the FA Cup. I was hoping Steve Bruce would win it for Hull because he was one of my players; but you also had to have a special feeling for Arsene, given the pressure he was under for not winning a trophy for nine years."
Wenger is now in his 18th season at the Emirates, a full 14 years longer than the second-longest serving boss, Alan Pardew at Newcastle.
Ferguson meanwhile was in charge of United for an unprecedented 26 years and doubts whether Wenger can surpass that tenure.
He adds: "The model I represented has passed into history. You won’t see anyone manage one club for 26 years. I must say, though, that Arsene Wenger’s reign at Arsenal deserves a special mention. He's having a good crack at it."
Meanwhile, the legendary United boss has had his say on successor David Moyes' ill-fated spell in charge at Old Trafford.
Moyes was sacked after guiding the club to a seventh-placed finish - their lowest in Premier League history - and Ferguson believes "the job was too big for him".