Roberto Mancini reckons he will still be in football at 69 like Alex Ferguson — but in a very different job.
He said: "I think I will be the kit man in our new training facility!"
Mancini celebrates his 100th game in charge of Manchester City in tomorrow's Old Trafford derby.
Ferguson celebrates 25 YEARS at the United helm next month.
Mancini, 46, clearly cannot see himself having quite the same strength and drive when he reaches the same age as his great Manchester rival.
And yesterday he was full of praise for the manager whom he dubbed 'The Teacher'.
Mancini said: "I have a massive respect for him, as he has won everything for the last 25 years. He is the teacher and I am learning from him. Not only me, all the young managers.
"At his age, he wants to continue to win. At 69, every three days he is at the match, concentrating, celebrating when they score. It is incredible.
"It must be difficult to get to his age and have the same strength and every day want to win and to work."
Yet while City's manger is full of respect for Ferguson, he is also full of desire to topple him — in the derby and the race for the title.
City are in the rare position of going into the game top of the Premier League, two points clear of United.
Now Mancini feels he has a squad who can stay there.
He added: "Yes I'm sure but I don't know if we can win all the games. Up until now, we have achieved seven victories and one draw but the season is hard.
"We've a lot of games to play but we have a team that can stay top for a long time. We have worked hard for two years to get there. If we want to stay there, we must continue to win."
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