Harry Redknapp has revealed that Rio Ferdinand was an extremely difficult player to beat during his early days in West Ham United.

Ferdinand, who announced his retirement on the weekend, began his career in east London under Redknapp and was already getting the better of much more experienced teammates on the training pitch.

"We used to do a lot of 1-v-1, attack versus defence, drills and I remember one time Eyal Berkovic came up to me and said, 'Gaffer, I've been here two years and I've never seen anyone beat Rio, it's a waste of time!" Redknapp told Weekend Sports Breakfast on talkSPORT.

"Even (Paolo) Di Canio, he'd get the ball off him every time, he was incredible.

"You just couldn't fault him, he's a genuinely great lad.

"I think he's doing his coaching badges now - he's got a real football brain, he understands the game - and hopefully he'll get into coaching now."