Brendan Rodgers says that a chat from Sir Alex Ferguson was inspiring for him at the front end of his managerial career

Brendan Rodgers says that a chat from Sir Alex Ferguson was inspiring for him at the front end of his managerial career

Brendan may have been rejected by Ferguson when he was at Man Utd back in the 1980s but there were no grudges hold when a random talk from Sir Alex inspired Brendan so much he wrote to the great man to thank him.

Brendan explains in today's Wales on Sunday: “It was brilliant for a young manager to listen to

“I listened to the way he talked that night and I was so inspired I wanted to write to him and say my thanks. I was surprised that he wrote back and he gave me words of support and told me to keep fighting. He didn’t have to do that – but that’s him, that’s what he’s about. His guidance for every manager around is phenomenal, guys like me starting out on their journeys in a very tough business.

“And then you see what he’s achieved, how he’s managed change and stayed ahead of the game, while always retaining his morals and beliefs – it’s incredible. He’s an absolute football genius. He is someone we all look up to. He’s the boss of everyone.

“Perhaps it will be strange standing in the dug-out opposite him,

"But there won’t be any fear of the challenge. There is just total respect.

“Ultimately, the game is not about managers but about the players and what they do on the field and it is those challenges that we have worked so hard for and the ones this city deserves. This club could once only dream about games like this if it got a lucky draw in the FA Cup. This is now the norm because we earned the right to be here.

“And we just have to go and play our own way. It’s a game that will bring a lot of attention and a circus but the grass is still green, it’s a football and it’s 22 shirts on the field. That has to be the attitude if we are to compete at this level.

“What Ferguson has done comes through many hours of hard work,” said Rodgers. “It’s not just presented to you. He obviously had a long-term target when he took over which was to take away the power of Liverpool. That was the ultimate goal for him.

“He’s done that but it’s not enough. His thirst and hunger to succeed is incredible. Hunger, desire and motivation – he has all the things that you need to be successful over such a long period.”

Photo: Action Images

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