Though he has now departed TNT Sports upon the conclusion of the 2024/25 Champions League campaign, Rio Ferdinand has been an ever-present pundit for at least a decade since bringing an end to his illustrious playing career in 2015.
A centre-back, Ferdinand began his career with West Ham United after three years in their youth academy. The defender made over 100 appearances for the Hammers between 1995 and 2000, establishing himself as one of his generation’s most promising players. Such potential, along with his ability at such a young age, saw him leave West Ham at the turn of the century.
In leaving West Ham, Ferdinand moved to Leeds United for what was then a record-setting fee of £18 million. He rose to the rank of club captain, despite only spending two years in West Yorkshire, before setting yet another transfer record when he moved to Leeds’ rivals, Manchester United, in 2002.
It was with the Red Devils that Ferdinand cemented his legacy as a player. The defender, who cost Man United £30 million, spent over a decade at the club, winning six Premier League titles, two League Cups and a Champions League, winning the latter in 2008 as Man United beat Chelsea on penalties.
Ferdinand departed Old Trafford in 2014, spending a season with Queens Park Rangers before retiring. The England international was managed, for most of his career, by Sir Alex Ferguson, one of the greatest managers to ever grace the game. Understandably, Ferdinand holds Ferguson in the highest possible regard.
Rio Ferdinand Career Stats
Playing Career
Appearances
Goals (Assists)
Yellow Cards
Major Honours Won
Earlier in 2025, as per TNT Sports, Ferdinand revealed which other managers he thought should sit within Ferguson’s bracket as the very best in the history of the Premier League.
Ferdinand Names Best Managers
Two were “groundbreaking,” one is “up there”
Alongside Ferguson, Ferdinand revealed that he considered Arsene Wenger and Pep Guardiola to be in the same bracket as the Scot. Ferdinand said:
“I think whatever happens, (Guardiola) is up there. The names that come off the page immediately are Sir Alex Ferguson, he’s the greatest right now, Arsene Wenger. But I’d put Pep right in there amongst them too. I think when he’s finished and retired, I think he will definitely be in that mix of being the best. I think it’s between him and Sir Alex Ferguson.
“I think that Wenger and Ferguson were groundbreaking with the things that they did. Ferguson (had) three teams that won massive amounts, that are standing the test of time. Wenger came in and reshaped what nutrition and all of the elements outside of football look like, professionalism etcetera, and won.
“Pep Guardiola’s got the whole pyramid of football playing a brand of football that is just trying to copy him. He’s changed everything in that sense. So, he’s unique, but they are all unique and great in their own separate ways.”
Guardiola is approaching what would be his 10th year in charge of Manchester City, having joined them in 2016. The Sky Blues were accustomed to winning the Premier League, but Guardiola has taken them to new heights entirely. Man City have been a dominant force in domestic football and in the 2022/23 season, won a European treble.
Wenger, meanwhile, spent 22 years at Arsenal’s helm, arriving in the Premier League as an unknown manager. As Ferdinand mentioned, the Frenchman’s work on dietary requirements for his players revolutionised the modern game and was something that other managers took note of as Wenger guided Arsenal to three Premier League titles.
( All stats are fromTransfermarktand are correct as of 04/06/2025 )
Steven Gerrard Shuts Down Rio Ferdinand’s Desire Doue and Lamine Yamal Question Related
Steven Gerrard Shuts Down Rio Ferdinand’s Desire Doue and Lamine Yamal Question
Rio Ferdinand offered his view on Desire Doue and Lamine Yamal, but Steven Gerrard wasn't in agreement.