Not the best: Roberto Mancini has blasted Sir Alex Ferguson (Picture: Getty)

Roberto Mancini says he will miss Sir Alex Ferguson when he retires at the end of the season – but has dismissed talk that he should be considered the best manager ever.

Ferguson announced this week he will cease managing Manchester United in the summer, having successfully wrestled back the Premier League title from Manchester City.

And while City boss Mancini has paid tribute to his outgoing rival, who has won an incredible 38 trophies during his 27-year reign, the Italian has refused to accept he is the best manager ever.

‘It’s difficult to say if Ferguson is the best ever,’ said Mancini.




‘There will never be another manager like him, but in Europe there are other great managers, so it is difficult to say if Sir Alex is the best.

Fury: Ferguson and Mancini do not get on (Picture: Getty)

When pushed on who he thinks should be number one, Mancini remained coy – but conceded journalists were within their right to label Ferguson as such.

‘Everybody has their own opinion,’ he added.

The City boss’ comments will likely stir a rivalry between the two that has only intensified in recent months, but Mancini appears to have mellowed his overall opinion of the Scot.

He added that, despite them not getting on, he will miss the spats the duo have had.

‘For one man who stays for 27 years at the same club and has won every trophy in that time, I think that is an incredible situation,’ he said.

‘For me, it has been a great honour and pleasure to compete against Sir Alex for three years and I wish him good luck for the future.’