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The longevity of Wayne Bennett, Sir Alex Ferguson, and Arsene Wenger is best shown by the 5612 games they have been in charge.
Add a minimum of two training sessions per game and the truly remarkable trio has been on duty a staggering 16836 times.
And all three have been linked to just one club apiece for longevity with Sir Alex chalking up 26 years with Manchester United, Bennett 24 years with the Broncos in two stints, with Wenger about to complete 22 years with Arsenal.
Sir Alex won 38 trophies including 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, and two UEFA Champion Leagues, Bennett seven NRL premierships – six with the Broncos, and one with the Dragons – while Wenger won three Premier Leagues and seven FA Cups.
Take a moment to let those stats sink in, and how all three managed to make a massive number of training runs different, or varied enough, to keep their charges interested and alert.
It’s a lasting tribute to their communication skills, honed over decades.
Little wonder all three have varied over the years from easy-going to prickly, depending on post-match media questions, or reactions from parochial fans who only have one result in mind – a win.
And when it comes to career wins in any capacity, Bennett comes out on top with 62 per cent, compared to Sir Alex’s 58 per cent, and Wenger’s 54.
Fans should keep that in mind when they keep calling for Bennett to retire.
He’ll call halt when he’s damn well ready.
Now 68, Bennett started his NRL coaching career with the Canberra Raiders in 1987, and apart from the Broncos and Dragons has coached Newcastle, Queensland Origin, the Kangaroos, and England.
Sir Alex, now 76, kicked off his coaching (managerial) career with East Sterling in 1974 to St Mirren, Scotland, and Aberdeen before he landed at Man United in 1986 until he retired in 2013.
Wenger, now 68, started his career with Nancy in 1984, then Monaco, and was plucked from left field at Nagoya in 1996 to the Gunners.
Their career stats:
It’s worth repeating their career win percentages – Bennett 62, Sir Alex 58, and Wenger 54.