Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish has described Sir Alex Ferguson as the 'Godfather of world football'.
Ahead of Villa's home clash with Blackburn Rovers tomorrow, McLeish spoke about the seven Premier League managers from around the Glasgow area, saying they have all made it mainly due to a 'dogged determination'.
McLeish says that all seven of the Glaswegians in England's top flight - himself, Ferguson, Steve Kean, Owen Coyle, Kenny Dalglish, David Moyes and Paul Lambert - have done the area proud whilst reserving some special adulation for the Manchester United boss.
"I know all of the guys really well - Steve Kean more so," he told Express & Star.
"He first started working with a couple of colleagues, Tommy Burns and Mark McGhee, and he's come through the ranks and now burst through into the managerial show as well.
"There are similar traits. I think there's a dogged determination in probably every one of us. Having worked with Owen Coyle I know him as a player.
"He's a fiercely determined character who's also a great team player and he was very encouraging in his days as a player.
"I know David Moyes and of course I also know the 'gaffer' Sir Alex.
"He's the Godfather of world football, never mind the Godfather of the Glasgow clan!"
