Joey Barton: 'Sir Alex Ferguson couldn't coach a session to save his life'

Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton has claimed that former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson would not be able to put on a decent coaching session.

While insisting that he does not mean any disrespect to the Scotsman, the former Newcastle United player believes that coaches in England deserve more plaudits.

Ferguson called time on his management career at the end of last season following 26 years at Old Trafford where he amassed 38 trophies.

"We rate managers but we don't rate coaches in this country," the Daily Mail quotes Barton as saying.

"I don't mean to disrespect Sir Alex Ferguson - he was a great manager but he couldn't put on a coaching session to save his life.

"He couldn't even put out the cones. There is a big difference between a coach and a manager."

Barton has been studying for his coaching badges this season.