Sir Alex Ferguson once stated that one manager was "unsurpassed" in English football because of the legacy he left behind. Considering how many great players and managers the nation has produced throughout the years, that's some compliment from the former Manchester United boss.
Ferguson himself has an excellent legacy at Old Trafford, having guided the Red Devils to 13 Premier Leagues and two Champions League triumphs too. No manager in football history has won more trophies than Ferguson, an indicator of what an incredible career he enjoyed in the dugout.
And yet, the Scottish coach believed that another manager's football legacy was far superior to his own, or anyone else in English football. Speaking about the great Sir Bobby Robson, Ferguson said no other person was "an inch" above him.
Sir Alex Ferguson (Manchester United) and Bobby Robson (Newcastle)
While Robson enjoyed a stellar playing career, lining up for Fulham, West Brom and Vancouver Royals while earning 20 England caps, his career as a head coach was truly iconic. Considered to be one of the greatest English managers ever, he was made England manager in 1982 after a successful 13-year spell at Ipswich Town which saw him claim the UEFA Cup, the Tractor Boys' sole European trophy.
As Three Lions boss, he masterminded the run to the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup, England's best performance at the tournament until Gareth Southgate replicated the achievement in 2018. Spells at PSV, Sporting Lisbon, Porto and Barcelona then followed in the 1990s, as he won multiple trophies and coached some of the best players in the world, including Ronaldo Nazario, who described how Robson was integral to his career success.
Returning to England to manage Newcastle United, Robson turned the club's fortunes around. The Magpies were bottom of the Premier League when he arrived, but he made them a side capable of challenging for Champions League qualification, which he achieved in 2001/02 and 2002/03.
When Robson tragically passed away in 2009 from lung cancer, the football world mourned the passing of a managerial great. Ferguson led tributes to the Newcastle icon, saying how his legacy in English football could not be matched.
"In my 23 years working in England there is not a person I would put an inch above him."
He added: "I was never too big or proud to ask him for advice, which he gave freely and unconditionally. And I'm sure I am speaking for a lot of people when I say that. I mourn the passing of a great friend, a wonderful individual, a tremendous football man and somebody with passion and knowledge of the game that was unsurpassed."
Mourinho Shared Ferguson's Sentiment
FC Barcelona's coach Bobby Robson (C), assistant Jose Mourinho (L) and Ronaldo
Robson was crucial to the rise and development of Jose Mourinho, who began his career in coaching as the Englishman's interpreter at Sporting, Porto and Barcelona. He went on to become his assistant manager, before later returning to Porto as their head coach, guiding them to Champions League glory in 2004.
At the time of Robson's death, the self-christened 'Special One' spoke about how highly he regarded his mentor, stating that his legacy would be remembered forever. He said: "I wanted to and I will keep with me always the Bobby Robson of every day, a person who had extraordinary passion for life and for football, with an extraordinary enthusiasm.
"Bobby Robson is one of those people who never die, not so much for what he did in his career, for one victory more or less, but for what he knew to give to those who had, like me, the good fortune to know him and walk by his side. My thoughts and embraces go to all his loved ones."