Harry Redknapp had no doubt in his mind when it came to naming the greatest player Britain had ever produced. The former manager gave that title to one of Manchester United's greatest ever players.
Redknapp, having made a name for himself in West Ham and Bournemouth's midfields during the 1960s and 70s, then went straight into management after hanging up his boots. Coaching both the Cherries and the Irons, as well as the likes of Portsmouth, Southampton and Tottenham, he is one of the most iconic British coaches to take up a position in the dugout.
Having played and managed for over 50 years, he has seen some of the game's best take to the field. And when it came to one British footballer, he reserved the highest praise possible.
Redknapp on United 'Genius'
Harry Redknapp
Asked to name the best team of the sixties in an article for the Daily Mail back in 2014, Redknapp opted to include the likes of Bobby Moore, Sir Bobby Charlton and Jimmy Greaves in his star-studded team. However, he insisted that George Best was the best of the lot.
The Northern Irishman shot to prominence in the 1960s with United, signing as a teenager after club scout Bob Bishop told Matt Busby he'd found "a genius." Best went on to tear up Old Trafford for a number of years, guiding the club to two First Division titles and a European Cup in 1968.
He remains revered in British football as one of a select few from the nation to win the Ballon d'Or, while United fans still adore him for his contributions alongside fellow 'Holy Trinity' members Charlton and Denis Law. Redknapp, having played against him on eight occasions, agreed with Bishop's assessment of Best as a teenager, also describing him as a genius.
"The best footballer the British Isles has ever produced, the ultimate street player. A genius. George could add 10,000 to a gate the way that Tom Finney or Stanley Matthews had previously."
It's far from the only time that Redknapp has praised Best. Comparing him to Lionel Messi in a separate interview, the iconic manager then went a step further, stating that the former United forward was the best footballer he'd ever seen.
"He was just a special talent," Redknapp said. "I’ve never seen anyone with the ability to beat people, to dribble, an amazing footballer. George Best was just the best. The greatest. He knew players went out onto the pitch to hurt him. They couldn’t get near him.”
Best Left Incredible Legacy
George Best shows off the 1968 European Footballer of the Year award with Bobby Charlton
Many will speak with great appreciation of Best's footballing talent in a similar way to Redknapp. That, more than anything, is a good indicator of just how good he was.
Despite not ever playing at a World Cup, he was admired by football's finest around the globe. Pele once hailed him as the "greatest player in the world" for his contributions, while Diego Maradona said that there were similarities between the Northern Ireland star and himself.
"George inspired me when I was young," he said. "He was flamboyant and exciting and able to inspire his team-mates.
"I actually think we were very similar players - dribblers who were able to create moments of magic."
Despite the trophies, the goals and the compliments of his fellow professionals, there is still a question of 'what if' with Best, who struggled with alcoholism away from the pitch. Leaving United at just 27-years-old, he might have achieved even greater things had he conquered his personal demons.