Ferguson is the main man

HERO MANAGERS: 1990 and special guest Alex Ferguson presents the Paul Harris Fellowship Award to then-Athletic boss Joe Royle. The Chadderton and Failsworth Rotary Club’s top prize was presented to Royle to mark his services to the community.

ATHLETIC legend Joe Royle believes Sir Alex Ferguson’s record of silverware success will never be bettered.

Ferguson announced yesterday that he is to retire at the end of this season after more than 26 trophy-laden years at United.

In that time the 71-year-old Scot has won 38 trophies. He will now become a director and ambassador for the club.

Royle, who locked horns with Ferguson several times during his time as Athletic boss in the early 1990s – and later when in charge at Everton and Manchester City – said: “We’ll never see a manager like this again.

“He’s just kept on winning trophy after trophy. He’s been fantastic and deserves all the credit that’s been coming his way.

“These days the trend seems to be that a manager stays in a job for months rather than years, but Alex’s record speaks for itself. It will never be bettered, in my view.

“I was a little surprised by the timing of the announcement, but he clearly feeels the time is right and goes out on a high.”

Royle enjoyed his unforgettable Premier League and FA Cup tangles with Ferguson during the early 90s, but Athletic only beat them once during their golden era - a 1-0 home league victory in March, 1993.

“That was a sweet victory,” added Royle. “But we also had two famous cup semi-final clashes against United which I’ll never forget.

“The first (3-3 at Maine Road in 1990) was probably the best performance I ever saw Oldham produce during my time there.”

Athletic’s current boss Lee Johnson admires Ferguson greatly.

The youngest manager in the Football League said: “The thing about Sir Alex that has always astounded me is the way he gets the balance right in management.

“He installed standards, discipline and a winning mentality. What a man!”