Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has tipped three of his current Old Trafford squad - Roy Keane, Gary Neville and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - to follow him into management.
They would follow a long list of proteges who have learned their trade under one of the all-time great managers and gone on to try the game for themselves.
Among others Bryan Robson, Steve Bruce, Mark Hughes, Alex McLeish and Gordon Strachan have worked under Ferguson before graduating to the highest levels of their profession.
Ferguson feels fewer top-class players will do the same in the future because of the financial rewards of a modern playing career, but can spot at least three in his midst.
"Roy's leadership qualities are there for all to see," Ferguson said. "That is where he helps me most now - I trust him and he is my captain.
"I think he has certainly got the qualifications and the determination to become a manager.
"Gary has got that too, and Ole will make a great coach I am sure."
 | FERGIE'S PROTEGES PREMIERSHIP (managers) Steve McClaren (M'boro) Steve Bruce (Birmingham) Mark Hughes (Blackburn) Bryan Robson (West Brom) PREMIERSHIP (coaches) Carlos Queiroz (Man Utd) Brian McClair (Man Utd) Mike Phelan (Man Utd) Eric Black (Birmingham) FOOTBALL LEAGUE Mark McGhee (Brighton) Neale Cooper (Gillingham) SCOTS PREMIER LEAGUE Alex McLeish (Rangers) Gordon Strachan (Celtic) Willie Miller (Aberdeen DoF) |
Making the transition from top player to successful manager is easier said than done - just ask David Platt or Tony Adams in recent years.
But Robson feels he knows why Ferguson's proteges constantly buck the trend.
The West Brom boss, himself a former player and coach under Ferguson, told BBC Sport: "One thing Sir Alex looks for in his players is strong characters.
"At the time I played for the club there were a lot of strong individuals.
"To be a manager or a coach at the highest level you need to be that - and a lot of his players are, which is why we have all gone into management.
"So you can see why he has picked out those three for the future.
"You look at Gary Neville and he is a strong character and it is the same with Roy. They have the drive that is needed.
"A lot of people might be surprised Alex chose Ole but he has got a lot of ambitions in the game as well and he is a strong-minded person."
|  It is the same with his coaching staff - he always looks for strong people around him who are good at their job
|
And it is not just players that Ferguson is happy to see use his methods as their own.
Coaches like Brian Kidd, Steve McClaren and Carlos Queiroz have all gone on to be managers in their own right after working underneath him.
Robson added: "It is the same with his coaching staff - he always looks for strong people around him who are good at their job.
"He would not take on an assistant manager unless he thought they had great ability to go on and do well on their own, and that is what invariably happens.
"Alex encourages people to pick up on his ideas. He is very open.
"He will share his opinions with players and he wants them to go on and achieve things for themselves so he is always a big help in that way.
| THE NEXT GENERATION? Teddy Sheringham Age 39 Paul Ince Age 37 Roy Keane Age 33 Darren Ferguson Age 33 Ole Gunnar Solksjaer Age 32 Gary Neville Age 30 |
"I think most of the lads who are in management all stay in touch with him.
"You can have a chat to him on the phone and he has always got advice for you."
There are likely to be a few more novice managers dialling Ferguson's number in the next few months.
As well as Keane, Neville and Solksjaer, former United players like Paul Ince and Teddy Sheringham are nearing the end of their playing days.
Brian McClair and Mike Phelan already have coaching roles at United and could also be tempted to leave Fergie's nest should suitable managerial roles materialise.
And Ferguson's son Darren has also expressed his desire to follow in his father's footsteps when he ends his career.
But just what have their predecessors achieved in management, and what did they learn from their former tutor?
BBC Sport looks at how Fergie's fledglings have fared so far.
STEVE McCLAREN
Now: Middlesbrough manager (01- )
Clubs: Oxford (coach) (92-95) Derby (coach) (95-99), Man Utd (coach) (99-01)
Achievements: Won the League Cup, the first trophy in Boro's history, and has twice taken them into European competition.
Future prospects: Highly rated by the FA and in the frame to succeed Sven-Goran Eriksson as England manager.
What he learned: "It's all about taking opportunities when they arise. It's what Alex used to say before big matches and what I say to our players."
STEVE BRUCE
Now: Birmingham City manager (01- )
Clubs: Sheff Utd (98-99), Huddersfield (99-00), Wigan (01), C Palace (01)
Achievements: Took Birmingham into the Premiership and has established them in the top division.
Future prospects: Has shown good tactical awareness but needs European experience as a manager if he is to have a chance of becoming United's boss one day.
MARK HUGHES
Now: Blackburn Rovers manager (04- )
Clubs: Wales (99-04)
Achievements: Took Wales to the brink of the Euro 2004 finals, and steered Rovers to Premiership safety last term.
Future prospects: Needs to show more tactical variety if he is to follow up his early promise.
What he learned: "Sir Alex has been a big influence. I've been lucky enough to play under many great managers and I like to think I've taken something from each of them."
BRYAN ROBSON
Now: West Brom manager (04- )
Clubs: Middlesbrough (94-01), Man Utd (coach) (01-02), Bradford (03-04)
Achievements: Took Boro into Premiership in 95 and 98 and to an FA Cup final in 1997.
Future prospects: Unlikely to get Man Utd job but restored his reputation by keeping West Brom up in 2005.
What he learned: "Sir Alex was very well organised in everything he did around the club - he was very thorough."
CARLOS QUEIROZ
Now: Man Utd assistant manager (04- )
Clubs/Countries: Portugal youth team (89-91), Portugal 91-94, New York Metrostars (96), Grampus Eight (96-97), UAE (99), South Africa (00-02), Man Utd (coach) 02-03), Real Madrid (03-04)
Achievements: Built up an impressive reputation prior to taking charge at Madrid but his single season at the Bernabeu ended empty-handed.
Future prospects: Ferguson welcomed him back with open hands and Queiroz has a growing influence at Old Trafford.
What he learned: "His ability as a leader is unique. Not only does he have a wonderful wisdom and experience in the game but he also shows every player, every coach and member of staff that he believes in us."
MIKE PHELAN
Now: Man Utd first-team coach (00- )
Clubs: Norwich (coach) (95-96) Blackpool (coach) (96-97) Stockport (coach) (97-99)
Achievements: Worked as Gary Megson's assistant at various clubs before moving to United where he has held several positions
Future prospects: Rated highly by Ferguson but likely to leave if he does not get his chance at United.
What he learned: "It is about great forward-thinking. This club is not about today, it's about tomorrow, and we have to move on. Here there is a vision, and there is a man behind that vision who pushes it forward."
BRIAN McCLAIR
Now: Man Utd academy director (01- )
Clubs: Motherwell (coach) (98), Blackburn (coach) (98-99)
Achievements: Another to have been given experience in several roles at United, he has previously been reserve team boss and Under-19 coach.
Future prospects: On Ferguson's wavelength but will have to go his own way to find managerial work.
ERIC BLACK
Now: Birmingham assistant manager (04- )
Previous clubs: Motherwell (01-02), Coventry (03-04)
Achievements: Took charge at two cash-strapped clubs and was unlucky to be shown the door on both occasions
Future prospects: Happy as Steve Bruce's number two at St Andrews, but could still manage in his own right.
What he learned: "The main thing that stayed with me was his desire, and his continued desire to reach the top. He would overcome one obstacle and no sooner had he done that than he was on to the next one."
MARK McGHEE
Now: Brighton manager (03- )
Clubs: Reading (91-94), Leicester (94-95), Wolves (95-98), Millwall (00-03)
Achievements: Won the Division Two title with Millwall in 2001 and with Reading in 2004. His finest feat of late was keeping Brighton up last year.
Future prospects: Briefly managed Leicester in the Premiership but is unlikely to again while still at the Withdean Stadium.
What he learned: "He doesn't accept second-best, mediocrity or half-effort. He wants 100% all the time and I think we have all got to strive for that."
NEALE COOPER
Now: Gillingham manager (05- )
Clubs: Ross County (96-02), Hartlepool (03-05)
Achievements: Has made his name as a canny lower-league manager and took Hartlepool into the League One play-offs last season.
Future prospects: The Championship is the next step up and he will be aiming to take Gillingham there this season.
What he learned: "He worked a lot on pressing teams and keeping possession of the ball. To do those things you had to be very fit, which we were as a team."
ALEX McLEISH
Now: Rangers manager (01- )
Clubs: Motherwell (94-98), Hibernian (98-01)
Achievements: Has won two League titles in three full seasons at Ibrox
Future prospects: A possible candidate to succeed Sir Alex at Old Trafford but needs to test himself in the Premiership at some point soon.
What he learned: "He just gave players so much belief and even when we played Real Madrid in that Cup-Winners' Cup final he wasn't fazed at all and made sure we weren't either. His enormous mental strength is unquestionable."
GORDON STRACHAN
Now: Celtic manager (05- )
Clubs: Coventry (96-01), Southampton (01-04)
Achievements: Did not shine at Highfield Road but took Saints to an FA Cup final in 2003.
Future prospects: Can still bounce back from a disastrous start to his Parkhead reign.
What he learned: "That I couldn't be like him. You have to be yourself in management. People will smell it a mile off if you're pretending to be something you're not and you only embarass yourself."
WILLIE MILLER
Now: Aberdeen director of football (04- )
Clubs: Aberdeen (92-95)
Achievements: Premier League runners-up in 1993 and 1995, Scottish Cup and League Cup finalists in 1993.
Future prospects: Could not follow up a promising first season but has had more success since returning to the club in a backroom role
What he learned: "Belief and desire were the two most important aspects as far as he was concerned. You had to be totally focused and make sacrifices."
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
