Sir Alex Ferguson wins FIFA Presidential Award

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has won the FIFA Presidential Award.

The Scot guided the Red Devils to their 19th top flight title in 2011, beating Liverpool's previous record of 18, while he also saw his side reach the Champions League final for the third time in four years.

"Elite football is all about results and winning and there is no one better at it than him," said FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who presented the award to the 70-year-old at the ceremony for the FIFA Ballon d'Or.

Blatter recounted some of Ferguson's achievments to the audience.

"His first major success came at Aberdeen in 1983 but what is absolutely extraordinary is that in a world in which coaches are expected to produce instant results or be changed, his longevity is a shining example of what can be achieved through stability, continuity, investment in development and especially in trust and confidence in the personality himself," Blatter enthused.

"He has earned a knighthood from Her Majesty the Queen for services to the game," he added. "This exceptional personality in football has been managing the same club for 25 years - can you imagine that today?"

Sir Alex was delighted to have received the honor but claimed he has been "very lucky" as a manager throughout his career.

"It is an honor for me in the twilight of my life and very, very much appreciated," he said. "I have been a very, very lucky manager to have had so many good players who have shared my vision and passion, and that's what makes Manchester United such a special club. They retain the courage to play, the courage to try and win. You don't always win in football - sometimes you lose but we always try to win."