Sir Alex Ferguson has praised Steven Gerrard's management skills, pinpointing how he knows the Rangers boss has mastered the "art" of management.
The 79-year-old Manchester United legend, a boyhood Rangers fan who also played for the club, was asked by the Guardian what he thought of the work the Liverpool great was doing early on in his coaching career.
Gerrard delivered Rangers their first league title in a decade this season, as his side dominated the Scottish Premiership. However Ferguson feels the most telling thing is what Gerrard does away from the training ground or dugout.
"Oh, he's done magnificent. He really has, both on and off the field," said Ferguson.
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"A press interview can lose you your job in management. But Steven's press conferences are fantastic.
"He's cool, he's composed, he gives the right answers. He's really top because it's an art."
That Sir Alex considers dealing with the press an art form is no surprise, as he mastered media mind games from the start.
But some journalists who sat in Ferguson press conferences might be shocked to hear that coolness and composure are key components in handling the media. Because Fergie was renowned for flying off the handle when in the wrong mood or served up a question he didn't like the sound of.
However the 13-time Premier League-winning manager is certainly correct in that how a manager comes across in the media is more important than ever.
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And Rangers fans have been as impressed by Gerrard's demeanour as they have the improvements on the pitch, particularly in how he stood by Glen Kamara with such vigour when his player was racially abused during a match against Slavia Prague.
Gerrard's decision to begin his managerial career with Rangers in 2018 was considered a risky move, as Celtic were far ahead of their Glasgow rivals at the time and overtaking them was the only was to succeed.
However Gerrard has impressed Ferguson as a manager, just as he did as a player. Fergie was an admirer of the midfielder when he emerged at Liverpool but came to realise that his bond to his boyhood club meant that - even if he were to leave - Gerrard would almost certainly never sign for Manchester United.
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Ferguson was talking to the Guardian before the release of Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In - a new documentary about his life - is released in the UK later this month.
All imagery: PA Images
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Liverpool, Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson, Scottish Premiership, Steven Gerrard, Rangers