Ferguson best manager in the
world, says survey

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is the best manager in the world, according to statistical analysis of the records of coaches of clubs in the leading European and South American leagues.

Ottmar Hitzfeld, the Bayern Munich manager whose team face United at Old Trafford in the Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday, came second in the survey reported in Tuesday's Daily Telegraph newspaper.

Under Ferguson, United have won 63 per cent of the matches in the last four years, while Hitzfeld has had a 62 per cent success rate with Bayern and former employers Borussia Dortmund.

Dutch national team coach Louis van Gaal, formerly at Barcelona, and Boca Juniors' Carlos Bianchi were joint third on 57 per cent. New England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson was in fifth place with a 56 per cent success rate at his former clubs Lazio and Sampdoria.

Ferguson also leads the way on titles won, with 24 domestic trophies and six international honours secured with United and former club Aberdeen of the Scottish premier league.

Hitzfeld again settles for second place with 15 domestic titles and two international cups, while Eriksson is in third with 14 domestic trophies and two international titles.

Ferguson's and van Gaal's teams have also scored, on average, more goals per game than their rivals.

Both have seen their teams record 2.1 goals per game in the last four years, while Hitzfeld is next on 2.0.