Neil Warnock gives controversial answer on Pep Guardiola vs Sir Alex Ferguson debate

Former top-flight boss Neil Warnock has ranked Pep Guardiola above Sir Alex Ferguson in his list of greatest ever Premier League managers.

Manchester United icon Ferguson won a record 13 titles in his 26-year reign at Old Trafford, in addition to the other 25 pieces of silverware he picked up — including two Champions Leagues. Manchester City boss Guardiola has also won Europe’s elite competition twice but has won fewer English crowns than Ferguson with three currently to his name.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Warnock — who announced his retirement from management earlier this month — explained his picks. Referring to Guardiola he said: “I saw his teams first-hand last year and I’ve never seen a team with that kind of movement.”

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“I think Pep’s just taken it all on board. He’s had a few years but his influence on the lower down leagues has been fantastic.”

However, neither Guardiola nor Ferguson took top spot according to the former Cardiff City and Sheffield United boss.

That instead went to Arsene Wenger for the way he “changed the whole outlook on modern footballers.” After second-placed Guardiola came Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who Warnock believes still has levels to climb and could potentially be number one in years to come.

Ferguson came in at fourth, just ahead of former United boss Jose Mourinho because “Sir Alex has done it for longer, been at it longer.” Warnock added: “I just think he was in an era where it was (about) man management and Alex was probably the best at that.”

Warnock managed Sheffield United, QPR, Crystal Palace and Cardiff in the Premier League during his long coaching career.