What Cristiano Ronaldo thinks about Zidane, Mourinho and Ferguson

Cristiano Ronaldo, speaking in an interview with Coach Magazine, has been speaking about the managers which have influenced his career. He also spoke about his relationship with Lionel Messi -- and touched on who the toughest defender he's ever faced is...

On toughest opponent: 

Over the years I had some great battles with Ashley Cole -- he doesn’t give you a second to breathe. He was such a tenacious player, quick, tough in the tackle -- when he was at his peak. You knew it would never be an easy game.

On Mourinho: 

I have played for so many great coaches, but José Mourinho was a big thinker analytically, he went into everything in great detail.

On Zidane: 

We had not started well, but then Zidane arrived and was the catalyst for one of my best-ever seasons. We went on a great run in La Liga, won the Champions League, and then I won the European Championships with Portugal. It was a great season for me and Real Madrid, and the right coach can be that inspiration.

On Sir Alex: 

I do see Sir Alex Ferguson as a father figure. All my coaches have been important, but when I arrived at Real Madrid I was a man, when I arrived at Manchester United I was a boy. All of a sudden you are at one of the biggest clubs in the world, and at that time I needed somebody like Sir Alex.