Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterAlex Fergusons influence on English football is unmatched and more complex than it might appear at first glance.Manchester United won 13 Premier League titles in the 27-year Ferguson era, adding a pair of Champions League wins and a vast collection of domestic cups. The Red Devils were feared for decades and everything they touched turned to silver.Beneath the surface, Ferguson helped to nurture a generation of managers. Many of them played under him at Old Trafford but others did not. Fergusons willingness to offer advice and guidance to managers making their way in the game is legendary."He came straight over and gave me his number"Sean Dyche was among them. After a short spell in charge of Watford, where he had been a player, Dyche was appointed by Burnley in 2012 and spent the next 10 years in charge at Turf Moor.Ferguson extended his generosity to the rookie boss. You may like "Sir Alex Ferguson crossed a line, and therein lies the difference between me and him, thats how he won 13 league titles and I won none" Kevin Keegan on Newcastle United's 1995/96 Premier League challenge 30 years on from the 'Love it' rant TV ace tells FourFourTwo about starting his career next to Brian Clough Manchester United have always shown interest in me, but the ideal scenario to manage there has never quite materialised Mauricio Pochettino on his Old Trafford opportunities It started very quickly, said Dyche on The Good, The Bad & The Football, in partnership with Midnite.I went to a charity gig just after [landing] the Burnley job and to be fair, to his credit, [Ferguson] came straight over and gave me his number.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.It wasnt really mentoring because that presupposed as though he was ringing me all the time. It wasnt like that.The Clarets have a proud history of success but Dyche was responsible for their biggest modern achievements, leading them to the Premier League in 2014 and again, as Championship winners, two years later.He did give me a brilliant bit of advice, said Dyche. What to read next Gary McAllister believes Manchester United made a mistake selling Scott McTominay Ive had Harry Redknapp, Big Sam and Alan Shearer reaching out to me Jermain Defoe on the A-list support hes had since taking charge at Woking Sam Allardyce was the best manager Bolton could have had at that time. We were tough on the pitch and had a bit of magic the perfect formula Youri Djorkaeff reflects on his Bolton Wanderers stint When we were pushing for promotion the first time at Burnley and we got to about March, I was thinking, How much longer can we keep this [promotion charge] going?I was fearful it was going to hit the wall. So I rang him and I said, What do you think?He said: Tell everyone how fit you are, how strong you are, and how youre going to be relentless this season. I said that about Manchester United and I had no foundation I just put it out there. Keep saying it, and saying it, and saying it.Inspired by Dyche and facilitated by 21 league goals from Danny Ings, Burnley won automatic promotion in second place behind Leicester City, ending the 2013-14 season with 93 points and finishing eight points clear of Derby County in third.They lost just two Championship matches after the turn of the year, both at home, and started 2014 on an unbeaten run of 15 league games.We just kept winning, and winning, and winning, recalled the former Burnley boss.Dyches team were relegated from the Premier League in the following season but won the Championship again with 93 points in 2015-16. They remained in the top flight until 2022 and were relegated weeks after Dyche was sacked.Burnley have been promoted or relegated in every season since.TOPICSBurnleyManchester UnitedPremier LeagueChampionshipChris NeeChris is a Warwickshire-based freelance football writer specialising in West Midlands football, the Premier League, the EFL and the J.League. He is the author of the High Protein Beef Paste football newsletter and owner of Aston Villa Review. He supports Coventry Sphinx.
