McLeish pays tribute to 'Godfather' Ferguson

Alex McLeish has branded Alex Ferguson "The Godfather" of modern managers.

McLeish was one of the central components of Ferguson's great Aberdeen team, which split the Old Firm and brought him to the attention of the Manchester United hierarchy following the departure of Ron Atkinson in 1986.

The Scot is now attempting to compete with Ferguson as manager of Aston Villa.

It is a thankless task given the vast disparity in income but, on the weekend Ferguson celebrates an incredible 25 years in the Old Trafford hotseat, McLeish is happy to heap praise on his mentor.

"In my playing days I only knew him as the boss," said McLeish.

"He was tough. He made sure if you weren't playing well, you were out of the team. It was what I feared more than anything in my days at Aberdeen.

"Sir Alex was a great guy for giving you the motivation.

"When I went onto the management side, I saw a different side of him.

"He is still a mentor and the Godfather to a lot of coaches, not only his ex-players.

"He is one of the most humble guys I've ever met. He has got famous friends all over the world but he never forgets where he has come from."

It is one of Ferguson's contradictions - such a fierce competitor, yet capable of the most extraordinary and unexpected kindness.

He is certainly engaging company and, in the year that will end with his 70th birthday, he shows no sign of tiring from the pressure he must cope with on a daily basis.

According to McLeish, the secret of Ferguson's longevity has been his ability to adapt to changing surroundings.

Manchester United may be a far different club to the one Ferguson joined in 1986. However, the entire football landscape has changed beyond all recognition, with the explosion of TV interest and the proliferation of agents all creating a demand that has to be met.

"He has dealt with that side of things very well," said McLeish. "That guy has got it sussed.

"A lot of managers from my playing era fell by the wayside because of the changes through generations in terms of their mentality and the psychology of managing the whole thing.

"Sir Alex evolved through the whole lot of that. He showed he is a true leader of men regardless of generations."

McLeish always felt Ferguson would be motivated by a strong desire to win the Champions League, something he has achieved twice, with a couple of recent failures in final encounters with Barcelona.

However, it is a closer and infinitely more "noisy" rival McLeish feels sparks his old boss now - neighbours Manchester City, who currently stand top of the Premier League having smacked six past United at Old Trafford a fortnight ago.

"Just when he thought 'I'll hang my boots up' he has seen a new kid on the block," McLeish said.

"Now it's a case of 'I can't go, I've got to overturn them'.

"It will be fascinating to see how that unfolds."