[coulsontom]

I don't see why people would say Ferguson is the best. He has continuously spent the highest amounts of money, breaking the british transfer record on numerous occasions and in the 90's didn't have any real competition. Blackburn made 1 investment but didn't sustain it for long enough to challenge properly. Arsenal under Wenger challenged him and won 3 titles against United in the space of 7 years with United winning 4 in that time, including a run of 3 in a row.

The only genuine challenge to United's dominance was Chelsea who were the first side to compete with United in the market. (Arsenal challenged United without matching their financial power which makes their victories even more impressive - as well as the style).

Now City have the money, it is not just Chelsea who United have to compete with in the market. Ferguson knows he should have retired before last season, realised he made a mistake, and was desperate to win it this season, so he could retire having won. If he'd lost this season, he would not have retired.

But Ferguson throughout his time had the top dollar. Arguably all teams who have dominated for long periods (Liverpool) have always spent big and that is true. But I put forward Brian Clough for the best manager ever.

It was a different era where it was possible to come up from division 2 one year and challenge for the title the next. But back to back European Cups with Forest was a fantastic achievement. Yes he spent, but everyone has done.

But what makes Clough stand out above Ferguson, is that he didn't tolerate any abuse of the referee. Ferguson has bullied the referees to the point where it became obvious that they dare not disobey him. Freakish runs without conceding penalties at Old Trafford, and runs of Ferdinand not conceding free-kicks and rooney not receiving bookings.

Ferguson has bullied the press to the point where they licked his arse for fear of falling foul of him.

Rant over.