Sunderland manager Roy Keane said that he would draw on the lessons he learned from Alex Ferguson and Brian Clough as he attempts to establish his promoted club in the Premier League.
Keane won seven league titles under Ferguson at Manchester United, who he joined after playing for Clough at Nottingham Forest, and he is planning to put the experiences of working with the two celebrated figures to good use.
'I hope I have learned something from all the managers I have played under, not just at Manchester United but also Brian Clough and those I played under when I was 10 or 11 years of age,' Keane told reporters.
Ferguson is still at the helm of Premier League champions United but Clough sadly died in 2004 aged 69.
'Hopefully, all the experience will help me but only time will tell,' added Keane. 'Even the top managers make mistakes and I made a few last year. But I'd like to think that I'm a quick learner.'
Keane, whose side host Tottenham Hotspur in the first match of the season on Saturday, added: 'The Premiership is full of people whom I have the utmost respect for. People who have been successful not just for one season but for years and years.
'The sign of a top player or manager is one who can do it consistently. That is how you gauge if somebody has been a success in life and it is a massive challenge for us all.'
He added: 'It is important we remain calm and focused. We deserve to be in the Premiership and hopefully we are going to make our mark on it.
'There is definitely a buzz around the place and we're all ready for a game which won't make or break our season, but I think it is very important we make a good start.
'For the last two or three seasons we've had a disappointing start to the season so we want to get off to a good one. We hope the new boys can come in and hit the ground running.'
