Wayne Rooney has lifted the lid on his own managerial development and revealed he is getting constant feedback and insights from his legendary former boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
Rooney, one of the most storied names in English football history, currently resides in the dug-out at Derby County and is tasked with one of the game's most difficult jobs, given his side's league position and points deduction.
Yet Rooney has gained many plaudits with the ways he has conducted himself, while growing into the role as a football manager. Now, the man himself has revealed he has been taking lots of tips from some of the biggest icons in the sport - namely Sir Alex.
'Fergie’s man-management was by the far the best. Of course you need relationships with players, but you also need that authority,' Rooney said, opening up during an interview with the Athletic.
'Tactically, (Louis) Van Gaal was very good, but he was too honest, if you like. He’d speak to an 18-year-old the same way you’d talk to a 35-year-old.
'It’s about getting that balance right and letting the young lads play without fear.'
After being docked points at the start of the campaign, Derby currently find themselves rock bottom of the Championship table.
Rooney has managed to oversee seven victories however, five more than closest side Barnsley and two more than Peterborough, who have an eight-point margin on his men.
When describing his own managerial style, and whether he is a boss who deploys the infamous 'hairdryer treatment' of his former chief Fergie, Rooney said: '[I'm] Very calm, actually.
'I’m honest with the players. In our first meeting, I said to them, "You’ll have your days off to be with your families but, when you are at work, if you’re not prepared to work hard and do it like I want, you can leave now".
'These are my demands, what I expect, whether that’s the best player, the oldest player, the youngest player, anyone.'