Mo Farah can become an all-time marathon great, says coach

Lough was speaking after Farah finished third in the London Marathon on Sunday, breaking the British marathon record in the process.

But Farah struggled with the pace set by winner Eliud Kipchoge - a runner who Farah's coach says is the the greatest of all time.

“Eliud is the best marathon runner ever and I think Mo can get to a similar level - one or two in the world,” Lough said. “What London showed is there is a lot more to come and the guy definitely has a lot of marathon potential.

“Put him into a championship environment - next year at the Worlds in Doha and certainly the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo - and I definitely think Mo Farah should be someone that people have got major concerns about.”

There have been suggestions from critics that Farah's switch to the road was motivated by the financial incentive of competing at the big city events, but Lough - who coached Paula Radcliffe to her world marathon record - says that Farah is completely committed to his new event.

“When we first sat down one of my questions was trying to figure out Mo’s motivation," Lough said.

“I think 2:03, 2:04 is realistic for Mo,” Lough continued. “Some stuff that he’s done is incredible, there’s some stuff we’ve got to add.”

Farah's performance on Sunday, while impressive for just his second attempt, added to concerns that he will be unable to match Kipchoge in the big races.

But the Brit, who is targetting the World Championship marathon gold, says that a lack of pacemakers at the World's will be to his advantage.

“No World Championship has been run that ridiculously quick,” Farah said after London, pointing to a World Championship record of 2:06:54 which is slower than the 2:06:21 he clocked in the English capital.

“So I am capable of mixing with the guys.”