Ferguson not surpised by Spanish dominance

Sir Alex Ferguson is not surprised that Wayne Rooney is the only English player to have been nominated to win the FIFA Ballon d’Or.

Rooney is the sole English representative in the 23-man list which sees eight Barcelona players included and just three others from the Premier League: Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero, Liverpool’s Luis Suarez and Manchester United winger Nani.

According to Ferguson, the list speaks volumes about where the balance of power in world football is at the moment.

“It’s not a shock, but it’s interesting which players are involved,” the Scotsman said.

“The fact there are so many Spanish-based players on the list tells you everything.”

Ferguson is one of the nominees for the coach of the year award alongside fellow Premier League managers Arsene Wenger and Andre Villas-Boas.