Bolton Wanderers boss Gary Megson has revealed how Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson offered him a role with his coaching staff when he was out of the game.

Megson said: "Sir Alex is the most successful manager in the Premier League's history but he's not somebody that is up his own backside. Nothing could be further from the truth.

"He has a reputation as a bit of a father figure to managers and he has been a tremendous help to me.

"When I was out of the game for all that time he texted me out of the blue and invited me over to Carrington to watch training.

"He told me to sort it out with Mike Phelan and just get myself amongst it again. But I chose not to go because I didn't want to stand there as a spare part.

"You just think about all the stuff he has on his plate and he still took the time to do that. It speaks volumes for him as a person."