Stepping into the fray at Salford City, Paul Scholes’ second managerial appointment (albeit this time as an interim) lends itself to an interesting debate. Just who, exactly has been the best manager to have learned his trade while playing under Sir Alex Ferguson?

Given the almost unprecedented length of the Scotsman’s reign at Manchester United, many of his former players have tried their hand at management over the years, to differing success.

Considering just how many players to have stepped up into management after experiencing his storied expertise, some parameters must clearly be set.

So, with that in mind, GiveMeSport will be ranking 12 managers who have managed either within Europe’s major leagues (Championship included), Britain’s biggest clubs or internationally. While honours won and points per match are, of course, important, simply winning the most isn’t the be-all-and-end-all.

This ranking will look at least some of the context behind the jobs in question.

With that in mind, here’s a look at how 12 of Fergie’s fledglings rank in terms of their managerial careers using data from Transfermarkt.

12) Gary Neville - Valencia

Gary Neville

To be fair to Gary Neville, Los Che have been unstable while under the ownership of Peter Lim and few could blame him for taking such a job - one of the biggest in Spanish football.

However, the problems ran deep at the Mestalla. While the situation is more nuanced than simply saying Neville flopped because he was a bad coach, twenty-eight games yielded 10 wins and he was sacked following a loss to Celta Vigo in March 2016.

A 7-0 loss to Barcelona was a particular low point and Neville hasn’t returned to management since.

Games: 28
Points Per Match: 1.32
Honours: 0

11) Ryan Giggs - Manchester United, Wales

Ryan Giggs

Now in charge of the Welsh national side, Ryan Giggs still has plenty of his managerial career ahead of him amid recent calls he should be on Manchester United's short-list in the future.

Leading Wales to Euro 2020 is a highpoint but his reign in charge has not come without criticism, as former international teammate Dean Saunders has previously been vocal about the job Giggs was doing.

If he can replicate even half of what Chris Coleman did at Euro 2016 next summer and make the best use of Gareth Bale’s golden years with the national team, expect to see Giggs shoot up the rankings.

Games: 27
Points Per Match: 1.63
Honours: 0

10) Mike Phelan - Hull City

Mike Phelan Hull City

A trusted number two of the great man’s and a member of United’s first Premier League-winning side under the famous old Scot, Mike Phelan’s job at Hull City may not have been as glamorous as the two previously mentioned though context is important.

Handed the top job with the Tigers after Steve Bruce left on the eve of the 2016/17 campaign amid a backdrop of uncertainty on Humberside, Phelan initially did a remarkable job with little to work with.

Early wins over Leicester City (champions at the time) and Swansea helped give Hull a fighting chance before his departure in January 2017, showing Phelan could get the most out of very limited resources, even if the odds were ultimately stacked against him.

Games: 24
Points Per Match: 1.04
Honours: 0

9) Jaap Stam - Jong Ajax, Reading, PEC Zwolle, Feyenoord, FC Cincinnati

Jaap Stam Reading

Like many of Ferguson’s great players, Jaap Stam’s departure from Manchester United was a difficult one, with the player himself revealing he was ‘fuming’ after being sold behind his back in 2001.

Returning to English football 15 years later, the sort of success the Dutchman enjoyed as a player initially looked as if it would translate into management as his Reading side embarked on a Championship campaign that saw them reach the Play-Off final.

Ultimately, his passing style of football didn’t work out in the second season which led to his sacking but, for that one season in Berkshire, Stam looked the real deal in a notoriously difficult league.

Games: 175
Points Per Match: 1.39
Honours: 0

8) Paul Ince - Macclesfield Town, MK Dongs (x2), Blackburn Rovers, Notts County, Blackpool

Paul Ince MK Dons

Sadly, Paul Ince’s managerial career is probably best remembered for the infamous image showing his first-half observations while Blackburn boss had resulted in one lonely note - ‘Shoot’.

However, it’s important to remember that Ince had done a commendable job with MK Dons in 2007-08. Indeed, after keeping Macclesfield Town in the Football League during his first role, a move to Stadium MK even saw him linked with Premier League jobs.

Winning League Two and the Football League Trophy in 2008, Ince helped The Dons’ initial project get off the ground and allowed them to establish themselves in League One just three seasons after their controversial birth.

Games: 218
Points Per Match: 1.44
Honours: 2

7) Bryan Robson - Middlesbrough, Bradford, West Brom, Thailand

Bryan Robson West Brom

The centre of perhaps the most iconic player-manager images of all time, ‘Captain Marvel’ proved a wonderful appointment for both Boro and West Brom, although not entirely perfect.

In his first job, Bryan Robson took Boro back to the Premier League in the mid-90s and ended up leading them to three cup finals during his time on Teesside. That’s not to say it all went swimmingly (they were relegated and re-promoted by the end of the decade) and he did have help from Steve Gibson in terms of lavish signings but, for his first job, it has to be deemed a success.

While competing for cups dried up after he left Boro, he was the architect of one of the greatest ever Premier League escapes from relegation, keeping West Brom in the division despite being bottom at Christmas during the 2004/05 campaign - a feat never previously achieved.

Games: 347
Points Per Match: 1.16
Honours: 1

6) Roy Keane - Sunderland, Ipswich

Roy Keane Sunderland

The pundit everyone loves to hate, Roy Keane’s explosive departure from Old Trafford in 2005 was the start of a long-running feud between the Irishman and Sir Alex.

While Sir Bobby Charlton can attest for the fact simply being a top-class player doesn’t mean you’ll be a good manager, Keane’s first job at Sunderland was typical of his brand (for want of a better word, as much as he’d hate it).

Taking charge of a Black Cats side who had suffered the indignity of being relegated from the Premier League with just 15 points before an awful start to the Championship campaign under Nilal Quinn, Keane went about installing his winning-mentality almost instantly.

Winning the 2006/07 Championship title was a remarkable achievement given where Sunderland were at prior to his arrival, while keeping them in the Premier League and delivering a first derby win at home to Newcastle United (the first in 28 years) were among the other highlights.

Games: 181
Points Per Match: 1.41
Honours: 1

5) Ole Gunnar Solskjær - Molde (x2), Cardiff City, Manchester United

OGS Man Utd

It’d be easy to rip into the Norwegian given his current run of results and how far Manchester United look away from winning the Premier League but his managerial career has been a success.

Perhaps the worst thing for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was to be given the United job full-time considering just how good he was as a caretaker, winning 14 out of 19 games.

Still, it’s important to remember he did guide United to the Champions League last season (only the third time that has happened since Ferguson’s retirement in 2013) while dealing with a hierarchy constantly criticised for their outdated approach.

Cardiff City may have been a difficult job for him early in his career and league titles with Molde - while an achievement - may not necessarily be the biggest in European football but, whether he’s the right for United right now or not, he has delivered important targets.

Games: 391
Points Per Match: 1.81
Honours: 3

4) Mark Hughes - Wales, Blackburn, Manchester City, Fulham, QPR, Stoke City, Southampton

Mark Hughes Southampton manager

Hughes’ time in the Premier League may seemingly be finished as the same old names linked with vacant jobs slowly filter out but, in terms of being a competent manager amongst the elite, the Welshman has proven himself.

Football may have moved on but his ability to turn previously unfashionable Stoke City into a boarding school for Champions League finalists, as well as ensuring three consecutive 9th-placed finishes, looks a lot better now amid some of the struggles the club have endured since his departure.

Games: 602
Points Per Match: 1.32
Honours: 0

3) Gordon Strachan - Coventry, Southampton, Celtic, Middlesbrough, Scotland

Gordon Strachan Celtic

Perhaps winning leagues with Celtic doesn’t get the respect it deserves but, during his reign at Parkhead, Rangers were still in their pomp. Indeed, Gordon Strachan was also the last Bhoys boss to take the club a relative force in the Champions League, taking them to the last 16 for the first (and only) time since re-formatting in 1993.

Seven major honours in Scotland made his stay a trophy-laden one and, let’s not forget, he also guided Southampton - before the days of boasting a ridiculously potent scouting network - to an FA Cup final in 2003.

Games: 551
Points Per Match: 1.52
Honours: 7

2) Steve Bruce - Sheffield United, Huddersfield, Crystal Palace, Birmingham (x2), Wigan, Sunderland, Hull City, Sheffield Wednesday, Newcastle United

Steve Bruce Newcastle

The fact Steve Bruce has remained in either the Premier League or the upper echelons of the Championship throughout his managerial career is really rather impressive, even if he’s not won a trophy.

A serial promotion-winner, the fact Bruce remains relevant (Newcastle fans may disagree though it’s hard to ignore the fact he did keep the side in the Premier League and has at least improved the ambition in domestic cups) shows what a good manager he is, despite some of his shortcomings when it comes to kicking onto the next level.

Even after Newcastle, it’s not hard to imagine him getting another job in at least the Championship given his track record.

Games: 882
Points Per Match: 1.39
Honours: 0

1) Laurent Blanc - Bordeaux, France, PSG

Laurent Blanc

It’s important to note that Blanc hasn’t finished top of the rankings because he simply won trophies with all-conquering Paris Saint-Germain. Barely an underdog story to warm the cockles.

Prior to his appointment in the French capital, Blanc had already won Ligue 1 with Bordeaux, setting a record for the most consecutive wins in a row (11) as Les Girondins won a league and cup double in his first season.

Winning Ligue 1 with two different clubs is a rare feat and, for that, he deserves to win these rankings.

Games: 359
Points Per Match: 2.16
Honours: 14