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Fergie

An honour to compete with Fergie, says 'noisy neighbour' Mancini

The Italian says the appointment of David Moyes won’t change much at Old Trafford.

MANCHESTER CITY BOSS Roberto Mancini says it has been a great honour to battle with rival manager Alex Ferguson over the last three years as the Italian paid tribute to the United chief today.

Ferguson announced on Wednesday that he will walk away from Old Trafford at the end of this season after almost 27 years in charge, and Mancini praised his foe after three years of the pair battling it out for the Premier League and other major honours in England.

“It is his decision,” Mancini, who also revealed he sent Ferguson a message following the news, said. “For me, it has been a great honour and pleasure to compete against Sir Alex for three years. It was a great honour to beat him in Old Trafford and I wish him good luck for his future. I don’t know for which reasons (he is retiring).

“He’s a top manager but he took this decision and we should respect it. This is difficult (to say who is the best manager). Everyone can have his opinion but one manager who stays for 27 years in the same club and won every trophy for 27 years is an incredible situation.

“I don’t think there will be another manager like him, In Europe, there are other good managers. I don’t know if you can say Sir Alex is the best (ever) but he is the best in the last 27 years.”

David Moyes will replace Ferguson at Old Trafford and Mancini dismissed concerns that the change could hinder United’s ability to challenge for major trophies.

When asked if there could be a change at Old Trafford, he said: “I don’t think this. A top club, a big club like United, you can change the manager. Sir Alex built this team but it is a big club with a big history and I don’t think it will change something.”

© AFP, 2013

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