Ronnie O’Sullivan’s Sage Advice to Luke Littler: “Get Around a Fergie Figure” Amid Phenomenal Rise
As Luke Littler continues his meteoric ascent in darts—hot on the heels of his Triple Crown triumphs in 2025—snooker’s seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan has offered the teenage sensation some hard-earned wisdom drawn from his own explosive entry into fame. The 49-year-old “Rocket,” who burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old UK Championship winner in 1993, praised Littler’s “phenomenal” talent and rapid climb toward the world No. 1 ranking but urged him to surround himself with a strong, guiding figure like Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson to navigate the pitfalls of early stardom. In an exclusive interview with the Daily Star on October 11, 2025, O’Sullivan reflected on parallels between their journeys, warning that without such mentorship, even the most gifted prodigies risk derailing.
O’Sullivan’s Praise: Littler “Out on His Own”
O’Sullivan, widely regarded as snooker’s greatest-ever player with 41 ranking titles and a record seven Worlds, couldn’t hide his admiration for Littler. “He’s number one already, winning tournaments,” the Rocket told Daily Star Sport. “It’s only a matter of time before he’s officially number one. I wasn’t like that—I was top seven, top eight, then top four. But the kid’s out on his own. Phenomenal.” Littler’s 2025 haul—the PDC World Championship (£500,000), Premier League (£275,000), and World Matchplay (£200,000)—has netted over £1.5 million, with his Grand Prix run (first-round win over van Veen, second-round demolition of De Decker) positioning him for a potential fourth major and the top spot, currently held by Humphries (£1.68M Order of Merit lead).
O’Sullivan, who himself reached the UK Championship final at 17 and won it outright months later, sees echoes of his youth in Littler’s poise. “Luke’s got the talent, the averages, the nine-darters—it’s all there,” he said. But the snooker icon knows the dark side: His own early fame brought battles with mental health, discipline, and the “demons” that plagued his career, including walkouts and bans.
The Key Advice: “Get Around a Fergie Figure”
O’Sullivan’s core counsel? Littler needs a “Fergie figure”—a no-nonsense mentor like Sir Alex Ferguson, who guided Manchester United to 13 Premier League titles with tough love and unwavering support. “I think if I had my time again, I’d probably take the Hendry route and just be always around an Alex Ferguson type figure,” O’Sullivan reflected, referencing fellow snooker legend Stephen Hendry’s disciplined mentorship under Ian Doyle. “I’d definitely choose to do things differently. So, just keep your feet on the ground if you can and just keep good people around.”
This echoes O’Sullivan’s January 2024 Sky Sports comments, where he explicitly advised Littler to seek a Ferguson-like anchor to avoid the “trappings of teenage fame.” At 18, Littler—already self-managing post his ZXF split—has family as his core support, but O’Sullivan warns of the isolation: “Fame hits hard young. You need someone to call you out, keep the ego in check.” Littler’s recent elbow niggle and PCOM risks (tied 58th, £21,000) highlight the grind; a “Fergie” could ensure sustainability toward Phil Taylor’s 16 world titles.
Littler’s Rise: Phenomenal Talent Meets No. 1 Bid
Littler’s “phenomenal” ascent mirrors O’Sullivan’s: A 16-year-old Worlds finalist in 2023/24, he’s now the youngest Triple Crown holder, with £1.5M+ earnings and a net worth nearing £2M. His Grand Prix breakthrough—first win after two prior first-round exits—averaging 105.58 vs. van Veen’s record 106.47, shows maturity. “I’m excited for what’s ahead,” Littler said post-management split, but O’Sullivan’s advice is a reality check: Talent wins matches; wisdom wins eras.
O’Sullivan, reflecting on his own regrets (e.g., 1998 Masters walkout), sees Littler as a second chance: “Keep good people around—you’ll go further.” As Littler eyes the £120,000 Grand Prix prize and No. 1, O’Sullivan’s words are a lifeline: Phenomenal rise meets prudent path. The Rocket knows; the Nuke should listen.
