Old masters: English football's fiftysomethings

Frank Clark, aged 52. Member of Brian Clough's all-conquering Nottingham Forest team of the late 1970s before learning the managerial ropes at Leyton Orient. Succeeded Clough as Forest manager in 1993.

John King, 57. Tranmere would not be the same without the warmth and wit of the Scouser who managed them from 1975 to 1980, returned in 1987 and has been there ever since.

Ron Atkinson, 56. Big Ron looked as if he might have managed for the last time when he was sacked by Aston Villa 16 months ago. But his flamboyance lives on at Coventry City.

Jim Smith, 55. Like Atkinson, the Bald Eagle had a modest playing career and has survived in management on a mixture of footballing nous and blunt northern humour. Now at Derby County, his seventh club.

Alex Ferguson, 54. In his 10th year at Old Trafford, Glasgow-born Ferguson is Manchester United's longest-serving and most successful manager since Matt Busby.

Dario Gradi, 53. Nearly 13 years at Crewe Alexandra make the Italian- born Gradi the longest survivor in English management. Renowned for bringing on young talent.