One of the AFL's greatest ever coaches, Kevin Sheedy, is set to meet England's most successful football manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.
The four time premiership coach will travel to the UK and attend the Manchester United- Manchester City derby this weekend along with GIANTS Chief Executive David Matthews.
Sheedy will then meet Sir Alex next Tuesday as part of a fact finding mission at one of the world’s most famous sporting clubs.
Sir Alex Ferguson, 70, has been in charge of the Reds for 26 years, winning 37 trophies including 12 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues. He was recently honoured with the unveiling of a bronze statue at Old Trafford.
Kevin Sheedy, who turns 65 this month, coached Essendon to four premierships and also played in three premierships for Richmond in playing and coaching career spanning more than 1000 games and six decades. 2013 will be his final year as Head Coach of the Greater Western Sydney GIANTS.
Sheedy said the trip to the UK was a great opportunity to visit one of the world's most successful clubs and find out what makes it tick.
"To be able to look inside a powerhouse like Manchester United is a fantastic opportunity for a club like the GIANTS and I can't wait to meet one of the greats of soccer in Sir Alex," Sheedy said.
"He is someone who has an outstanding record over a long period in the game and at 70 years old is still very fit and at the top of his game.
"I'm also keen to learn more about their local derby as this is something we want to build with the Sydney Swans so it becomes one of the biggest rivalries in Australian sport."
Matthews said it was a privilege for the GIANTS to be able to visit Manchester United and a great opportunity for two legendary coaches to meet.
"There are many similarities between the careers of Kevin and Sir Alex. Both have been not only very successful but enduring and iconic figures in their respective sports and I'm sure they will have a lot to talk about," Matthews said.
During his trip to the UK, Sheedy will also visit the South East London GIANTS, one of a number of AFL clubs overseas which have now adopted the GIANTS name.
