Rafa Benitez may have just masterminded Liverpool’s historic 4-1 win over Manchester United, but Robbie Keane says he’s not a patch on Gordon Strachan.

Keane has had 19 managers in his football career, including current Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp, but he says nobody compares to Strachan.

The Republic of Ireland international played under Strachan at Coventry and, despite playing under the stewardship of Giovanni Trappatoni at international level, insists nobody possesses the man-management skills of the ginger-headed Scot.

“Gordon Strachan is the best manager I’ve ever played for,” Keane was quoted as saying in Icon magazine.

“He is a fantastic man-manager who has always known how to get the best out of a player.

“Of course I wish things has gone differently at Liverpool but I have no regrets.

“I do believe with a different manager it would have worked for me, but different managers have different methods and some have different ideas than those you are used to or believe in.

“People have their own opinions of Benitez. I have nothing against him and will leave people to make up their own minds.

“When you’ve been around for a while as a player, all you want is a bit of respect and to be treated the way you feel you deserve to be.”