Iain Dowie has described Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson as "the best manager in British football history" ahead of Coventry's Carling Cup third-round clash at Old Trafford.
If success is judged purely in terms of trophies won then Dowie is right as Ferguson's record stands alone.
The 65-year-old Scot has guided United to 20 major trophies - including nine league titles - since his appointment on November 6, 1986.
Taking into account his success in Scotland with Aberdeen in the early 1980s, Ferguson's overall trophy haul stands at an unprecedented total of 30.
Almost 21 years at Old Trafford makes him United's second-longest serving manager behind Matt Busby, another Scot who, like Ferguson, was knighted for his services to football and most significantly for leading the club to European Cup glory.
Dowie is looking forward to pitting his wits against the man he calls "the master".
He told PA Sport: "He is the best manager the Premier League has ever seen and, in my opinion, the best manager in British football history.
"It will be great to come up against the master. He has had a fantastic career and there is so much to learn from him - the style of the teams he builds, the way he embraces youth, his sheer will to win.
"His sides have always won things playing entertaining football. That is a hard thing to achieve and he should be applauded for that.
"He is a great manager and a great man. I am still very wet behind the ears as a manager and he has helped me out with some words of advice a couple of times in the past."
After easing past Notts County and Carlisle the two previous rounds, Dowie is acutely aware that a very different task lies in store at Old Trafford tomorrow night.
"It is probably the most difficult draw we could have got. I have a feeling it may not be United's first team that we play but whatever side Sir Alex puts out will make it very difficult for us.
"Perhaps we need to have a good day and they need to have an off day if we are to get anything out of it but I just hope we can go up there and give him a real game.
"We were very professional against Notts County and Carlisle and we have got to do the same again, although it will obviously be a very different challenge that we are up against."
The 65-year-old Scot has guided United to 20 major trophies - including nine league titles - since his appointment on November 6, 1986.
Taking into account his success in Scotland with Aberdeen in the early 1980s, Ferguson's overall trophy haul stands at an unprecedented total of 30.
Almost 21 years at Old Trafford makes him United's second-longest serving manager behind Matt Busby, another Scot who, like Ferguson, was knighted for his services to football and most significantly for leading the club to European Cup glory.
Dowie is looking forward to pitting his wits against the man he calls "the master".
He told PA Sport: "He is the best manager the Premier League has ever seen and, in my opinion, the best manager in British football history.
"It will be great to come up against the master. He has had a fantastic career and there is so much to learn from him - the style of the teams he builds, the way he embraces youth, his sheer will to win.
"His sides have always won things playing entertaining football. That is a hard thing to achieve and he should be applauded for that.
"He is a great manager and a great man. I am still very wet behind the ears as a manager and he has helped me out with some words of advice a couple of times in the past."
After easing past Notts County and Carlisle the two previous rounds, Dowie is acutely aware that a very different task lies in store at Old Trafford tomorrow night.
"It is probably the most difficult draw we could have got. I have a feeling it may not be United's first team that we play but whatever side Sir Alex puts out will make it very difficult for us.
"Perhaps we need to have a good day and they need to have an off day if we are to get anything out of it but I just hope we can go up there and give him a real game.
"We were very professional against Notts County and Carlisle and we have got to do the same again, although it will obviously be a very different challenge that we are up against."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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