Rivals insist on control

Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger joined forces last night to insist that managers should be in control of their football clubs and operate without interference from boardroom level.

The pair were attending a League Managers' Association dinner for their Benevolent Trust and Community Fund at Wembley and expressed unease at the recent high-profile departures of Alan Curbishley at West Ham and Kevin Keegan at Newcastle.

Ferguson said he "admired" Keegan for keeping his principles and walking away from St James' Park when it became clear that players were being sold behind his back.

He added: "We need strong, capable managers who can stand up against those [interfering owners] that try and change the principles of the game."

Wenger, Arsenal boss for almost 12 years, added: "The quality of manager is determined by the quality of control (over team affairs).

"The manager is a strong guide inside the club and has to establish his authority and demonstrate he is in complete control.

"If you have no control but are still responsible for the defeats then that is unbearable."

The pair, whose teams meet at Emirates Stadium on 8 November, revealed that they have put aside past differences in recent years despite many high-profile clashes and have grown to admire each other's achievements.

Wenger said: "There is a much better understanding and mutual respect now."

Ferguson went on: "We've sat and shared a glass of wine and a meal on many occasions on coaching conferences in Geneva.

"We've both [got] great teams and have had incredible competition over the last decade."