After all, Ferguson – whose side are at St James's Park tomorrow – couldn't have asked for a better managerial role model in his father Sir Alex at Manchester United.
Ferguson – who, like Simpson, started his playing career at Old Trafford – is th
e latest of the club's former players to move into management, following in the footsteps of the likes of Mark Hughes, Steve Bruce and Paul Ince.
And Simpson – on loan at Newcastle until January – has nothing but praise for Ferguson senior, despite feeling the force of his tongue on more than one occasion.
"Darren's doing well – he's learnt something from his old man, hasn't he?"Simpson said.
"He's doing a great job. He's obviously spoken to Sir Alex and taken advice from him.
"Everyone who has been involved with United and Sir Alex takes something with them. Obviously, Darren's done that, and he's doing really well.
"He's taken it from his dad. It's the same with me. I've left United to go on loan at different clubs. I've learnt a lot from the manager and first-team players there.
"It's just the way he is – his personality and his character. Sir Alex walks into a room, and you know he's walked in.
"He's had a few goes at me, and I've had my ups and downs, but I've learnt from all of them. I've been at United since I was 10, and I've not just learnt from Sir Alex, but all the other coaching staff.
"It's a quality club, and everyone who works there has helped me to be where I am now."
Simpson has been a key figure for Newcastle since his loan move, and he played his part in Monday night's 1-0 win at Sheffield United.
Now the defender and his team-mates – who lead the Championship by two points – are looking to make it three victories in a row at St James's Park, where they remain unbeaten this season, before the latest international break.
The 22-year-old went on: "We want to make St James's Park our fortress with the fans that turn up and support us. We want teams coming here to be scared."
Simpson himself has been struggling with a niggling ankle problem of late, but he insists he's now fully fit, and relishing another big occasion at St James's Park, where the crowds have averaged more than 40,000 this season.
