Mexico manager Juan Carlos Osorio has revealed how former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson played a pivotal role in shaping his coaching career.
Osorio, who completed a Science and Football degree at Liverpool’s John Moores University when he was younger, crossed paths with the legendary Scots boss during his time working for Manchester City.
The 56-year-old initially became City’s conditioning coach under then manager Kevin Keegan in 2001 before being promoted to assistant manager.
And as Mexico, who are heading to World Cup in Russia, prepare to face Scotland in a friendly in the early hours of Sunday morning, Osorio has recalled how he still cherishes his brief encounters with Ferguson.
Former Sao Paulo and New York Red Bulls manager, Osorio, who was born in Colombia, said: “In 2001 when I first came to Man City, if you recall City were in the Championship, so I went across to Carrington and met Mr Ferguson. And I asked him to allow me to watch the practices.
“I remember waiting patiently in every single practice until he would come down to the training pitch for maybe five minutes in his long coat and all dressed up.
“He would say just a couple of things, but they were worth me waiting the whole two hours there because one of the main things was about why and how to rotate the squad.”
Speaking to Sky Sports, he added: “And I thought at that point, and I still think, they were words of wisdom that still stick in my head.
“I do have to say that the rotation and the tendency of me to give everyone an opportunity came from Mr Ferguson.”
