Former Arsenal captain Robin van Persie has overlooked Arsene Wenger when naming his best manager, instead selecting Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Dutchman rose through the ranks in North London under Wenger's guidance, becoming club captain and a favourite of the post-Highbury era.
However, he broke fans hearts when he left the Emirates Stadium for Old Trafford, where he would go on to lift the Premier League title under Ferguson in his first season at the club.
Whilst he did not spend too long working with Ferguson before the Scot retired after 27 years in charge, he certainly made an impression upon Van Persie - enough to see him ranked above Wenger.
“Ferguson really was a super manager. It was so brilliant how he always kept the entire squad happy and focused," he wrote in 'LVG – The Manager and the Total Person'.
“Wenger was a combination of Ferguson and Van Gaal. Arsene always emphasised all the positive things and he looked at what would work for the long term.
“Tactically he (Van Gaal) is a genius. You can’t deny that. I have had managers who had their own strengths. But Ferguson really was a super manager.”
In his debut season at Old Trafford, van Persie wowed the Manchester United faithful, scoring 30 goals in 48 appearances in all competitions, as he helped the club secure their last Premier League title.
In all, he spent three years at Old Trafford, during which time he notched 58 goals in 105 games, as well as laying on 21 assists.
