SIR ALEX: I’M PROUD TO BE HIS FRIEND
SIR ALEX FERGUSON hailed Arsene Wenger as ‘a rival, a colleague, a friend and a great man’ last night. Against Wenger, the former Manchester United boss fought out the Premier League’s greatest managerial rivalry, with the title passed exclusively between the pair for eight years, from the 1996-97 season to 2003-04. That feud has since thawed and Ferguson spoke warmly of the Frenchman yesterday. ‘I am really happy for him,’ he said. ‘I have great respect for him and the job he has done. It is great testament to his talent, professionalism and determination that he has been able to dedicate 22 years of his life to the club he loves. Now he can now have the send-off he truly deserves. He is, without doubt, one of the greatest Premier League managers and I’m proud to have been a rival, a colleague and friend to such a great man.’ United boss Jose Mourinho, who had his own disagreements with Wenger, said: ‘We respect each other even when it doesn’t look like we do. I respect the person, the professional, the career. I hope he doesn’t retire from football.’ Chelsea manager Antonio Conte said Wenger had been ‘a tough opponent. He deserves a great tribute. It’s difficult to see another manager staying at a club for such a long time.’ Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola added: ‘He is a huge personality. The Premier League is the Premier League because of what he has done.’