The phrase I use in my title is certainly clichéd, but in
this case I think there can be no doubt it is correct. Sir Alex Ferguson, one
of the most controversial and successful managers of all time, has announced he
is to retire at the end of this season, after a magnificent career spanning
nearly 40 years. Such an announcement does not come as a surprise, especially
when I heard he was planning to have hip surgery at the end of the season. From
the humble beginnings of lowly East Stirling in 1974, Ferguson’s career has
been on a seemingly never-ending incline, leading to him being the longest
serving top flight manager and most decorated manager in the history of English
football. With 38 trophies at Manchester United, a place on the Board of
Directors, and a stand at Old Trafford named in his honour, Ferguson’s place in
the history of both Manchester United and the English game is assured.
Sir
Alex Ferguson’s career is a long list of honours, both on and off the pitch,
and during his 26 years in charge of Manchester United, he has seen many
significant high points. Such examples would include the first title for the
Red Devils in 26 years, collected in 1993, the first English team to complete
the treble, achieved in 1999, and the surpassing of the previously considered
unbeatable Liverpool record of 18 top flight titles, back in 2011. As
Manchester United manager, he has seen and experienced it all in the English
game, and has had many memorable battles along the way. Initially, his lack of
success at United that put him on the brink of the sack. A calculated risk by
the United board to allow him to continue, and one that has paid off in the
most spectacular fashion. His rivalries on the pitch are also well documented,
and none you can say with any certainty he has comprehensively lost. Firstly,
the battles in the mid-90s with Newcastle United and Kevin Keegan in
particular, prompting the famous ‘love it’ lines. Secondly, his late-90s and
early 2000’s spats with Arsene Wenger. Whilst Arsenal did win three titles,
most famously the ‘Invincibles’ season, United and Ferguson remained top dog
around those years. And who was there to end the ‘Invincibles’ winning run?
Manchester United of course. Arguably his most famous personal spat was with
Rafa Benitez during his stint at Liverpool, whose infamous ‘fact’ rant saw him
lose significant credibility. The only battle that could be argued Ferguson has
lost during his career is versus Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea. Statistics favour
Mourinho in this department, with him winning more games than the Scot when the
two have come face-to-face. He also oversaw two relatively runaway back-to-back
title victories, a feat which no other manager has achieved against Sir Alex.
Nevertheless, once Mourinho departed for Inter Milan, Ferguson reclaimed the
top spot. More recently, the threat coming from Roberto Mancini’s Manchester
City has forced Ferguson into action once more, and, after narrowly losing the
2012 title, he eased to his 13th league title this year.
There
has also been a more controversial side to Sir Alex during his years in charge.
Whilst these may be no more than the jealous mutterings of those fans who have
been on the receiving end of his success, they still bear consideration. His
all too regular berating of officials has seen him accumulate several FA
punishments, fines and bans, and for some, these punishments and charges have
not occurred regularly enough. They have also often led to specific referees
being given fewer Manchester United matches, leaving favoured refs, such as
Howard Webb, to referee the majority of Old Trafford fixtures. This has been
argued to go some way to explaining the accumulation of penalty awards in
favour of the home side. His infamous 2003 Beckham-boot incident led to
subsequent revelations about his temper. This temper has also led him at times
to exaggerate and over-dramatise situations when things have failed to go his
way. Such examples have occurred this season, both when he claimed Robin van
Persie could have been killed after receiving a ball to the head at Swansea,
and when he neglected his press duties after defeat in the Champions League to
Real Madrid, the latter smacking of ‘control freakery’ when his players seemed
to do the same. However, a certain amount of needle is essential in being a
successful manager, and his sometimes overdramatic antics simply make for good
television. Without him, phrases such as ‘squeaky bum time’ would not have been
created, and we wouldn’t get to see his dreadful, strange, double arm waving
goal celebrations! Being passionate is not necessarily a bad thing, and whilst
some of his actions over the years may have been misguided, they merely go to
show that he is, in fact, human.
His
retirement undoubtedly leaves a chasm which Manchester United seem unable to
adequately fill. Whilst bookmakers have placed Jose Mourinho as firm favourite
to succeed Fergie, I have my doubts. His ‘where I am loved’ comments after
Madrid’s Champions League semi-final exit last week are more indicative of
Chelsea, not United. Hints made by both Mourinho and Chelsea interim manager
Rafa Benitez support this conclusion. If not Mourinho, who else? Ferguson’s
retirement announcement has come too late to secure the services of Pep
Guardiola, who is now contracted to Bayern Munich. Whilst the rumour mill will
ensure that many names will be thrown into consideration, serious contenders
that have come into the frame are Everton’s David Moyes, and Borussia Dortmund’s
Jurgen Klopp. In my opinion, Moyes’s inexperience in guiding a
title-challenging club fatally harms his chances. Whilst his knowledge of the
English game and his eye for a bargain is unquestionable, he lacks the
necessary experience to win titles. Klopp, on paper at least, appears a better
fit. However, there is no guarantee that he will have the ability to manage in
the English game. There is also no guarantee that anyone who is brought in to
replace Ferguson will have his tactical abilities and his ability to gel
squads.
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