Steve Bruce hails 'humble' Ferguson

Hull City manager and former Manchester United club captain Steve Bruce has paid his tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson’s humility following the Scotsman’s announcement of retirement at the end of the season.

Bruce joined Manchester United from Norwich City in 1987 and went on to make more than 400 appearances for the club over nine years before leaving for Birmingham City at the age of 36. During his time at Old Trafford Bruce won three premier league titles along with three FA Cups. Bruce has enjoyed a healthy relation with Sir Alex since embarking on his own journey as a manager and speaking to SkySportsNews, said:

“Whoever has gone to play for him, this winning mentality that he’s got rubs off on you. People ask over the years what he’s like and he’s so driven and so determined and he works so hard at the job.

“When you finish and you hang up your boots it’s no surprise that a few of us have gone into coaching. He sets such high standards that he’s very difficult to follow. It’s impossible to copy somebody like him.

“He wants to beat you for certain and he does that constantly with us, but he offers you a bit of encouragement. He’s always there if you pick up the telephone and he’ll always come back to you.

“He’s got a humility about him from his working class background where he’ll treat the groundsman just as well as he’ll treat his star centre-forward. He’s got a fantastic humility about him for all he’s achieved.

“I spoke to him a couple of days ago and there was no hint of anything about retirement. There was a simple text message and a short conversation wishing me good luck for the weekend and afterwards a text to say well done.

“He’ll do that not just with his players who’ve gone into management, but he’ll do that for most managers, especially the young ones. He’ll always give you the encouragement that every young manager needs.”

Hull City recently got promoted to the Premier League and Sir Alex did his bit by loaning and eventually selling promising midfielder Robbie Brady to the club.

Either of David Moyes or Jose Mourinho is tipped to take over the reins at Old Trafford but Bruce believes it will be difficult for any manager to fill Fergie’s boots. He added:

“Whether it’s Jose Mourinho or David Moyes or whoever, I know one thing, it’s going to be some act to follow. When you look over 27 years at the trophies he has won it doesn’t seem quite right that Fergie won’t be in charge of Man United any more.

“He has gone on and on and on and 27 years is quite remarkable – and I can assure you I don’t think the next manager will do 27 years. It’s quite incredible that Sir Alex has been in charge all that time and it’s an unbelievable achievement. To have 1500 games in charge of Manchester United is, in itself, a record I don’t think will ever be broken.

“It’ll be not quite the same and it’ll be difficult for whoever goes in because he’s such a big act to follow.”