Sir Alex Ferguson has become a recipient of the renowned 'Tor Vergata Ethics In Sport Award' from the Tor Vergata University, in Rome, Italy. The Scotland born and bred football manager was praised for the way he handled the humbling 19th Barclays Premier League title win and being gracious in defeat to FC Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League Final. The gaffer gave a speech to students upon accepting the prestigious gift. 

Ferguson is closing in on his 25th year at Manchester United, having 37 competitive trophies to his name and even more with previous Scottish clubs St. Mirren and Aberdeen. In total, he has won 48 titles as a footie boss. In his playing career, he featured for Queen's Park, St. Johnstone, Dunfermline Athletic, Rangers, Falkirk and Ayr United, before starting his management spell in charge of East Stirlingshire, and later coaching the Scotland national team. 

He has presided over more than 2,000 matches as a manager, the majority of them (1,400) with United. He still looks as hungry as ever, and recently bagged the Barclays Manager Of The Month award for August. Sir Alex gleefully accepted the 'Ethics In Sport Award' from the Tor Vergata college in Rome, and spoke of his personal experience as one of the greatest - if not the greatest - sporting icons of all time. Although he didn't put it that way !
 
Italian players' association president Damiano Tommasi - former Roma midfielder - presented Mr. Ferguson with the accolade which he previously benefited from. Former winners of the gong include current UEFA President Michel Platini, former Roma President Franco Sensi, football manager Zdenek Zeman, and cross-country skier Stefania Belmondo. Fergie stands out as one of the only holders outside of Italy to be awarded the prize.