Frank Lampard pays tribute to Sir Alex

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has paid tribute to Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who will retire from management at the end of the season.

Ferguson had just days before revealed his admiration for the England international and admitted that he tried signing the player from West Ham in his early days. Lampard praised Ferguson’s longevity and said:

“I have nothing but admiration for him. I think he was, in terms of the period of time he has done it, he has been the greatest for me. A lot of managers – the Jose Mourinhos of the world – are making their play for it, but they need to do it for as long as Fergie has.

“He has been incredible. As a man who ran the club, his desire to get the best out of players and keep evolving the team like he has done he is a complete one-off.

“We are competitve with Manchester United and we want to beat them and the fans don’t like them, but with Alex Ferguson you have to look up and say what a great man and what a great manager.”

Lampard’s teammate Branislav Ivanovic also had words of praise for the retiring manager and added that he expects Manchester United to still be a fierce rival despite the departure of Sir Alex.

“I think he is one of best coaches ever. I think for all the world it was a surprise and it was a surprise for us, but I don’t it will change a lot as I still think they will be one of the top clubs in England.”

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