Steve Bruce says he expected retiring Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson "to go on forever".
The Hull City manager has been paying tribute to Britain's most successful football manager, who will hand over the Old Trafford hot-seat at the end of the season.
And Bruce, a lynchpin of Sir Alex's first great United side, said today's announcement had come as a surprise.
He said: "I suppose we just expected him to go on forever.
"It had to happen sometime but I didn't see it coming."
Bruce made over 300 appearances for the Red Devils between 1987 and 1996, won three Premier League titles and captained the 1994 double-winning side, as he helped Sir Alex build the Old Trafford empire that continues to dominate English football today.
But despite all his success, Bruce insists Ferguson remains humble.
He said: "He's unique. He's humble and he'll treat the groundsman with the exact same respect as his centre-forward.
"To still have that humility and work-ethic after everything he's achieved is incredible.
"He sent me a text at half-past seven on Sunday morning to congratulate me [on Hull City's promotion]. That's the best time to get him.
"No matter how early you would turn up at the training ground, his car was always there."
Bruce has been quoted at 50-1 to replace Sir Alex at Manchester United.
But Hull City fans are unlikely to endure a sleepless night - bookmakers have unanimously installed David Moyes as an odds-on favourite to take over at Old Trafford.
Jose Mourinho is second favourite at 11-4.Video: Steve Bruce scores the crucial stoppage time goal against Sheffield Wednesday in 1993 that puts Manchester United on course for their first title since 1967
