Sir Alex Ferguson has been Manchester United manager for an incredible 25 years and saw the North Stand at Old Trafford named after him this season.
The manager has claimed that he been allowed to be successful for so long because the club isn’t reactionary and has been supportive of his long term plans.
“It has a lot to do with the club,” he said. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with a more long-term view and change direction towards where I think it should go. I can plan two or three years ahead, which is something that doesn’t happen hardly anywhere else. This is a results industry and if a manager loses four or five games in a row then his job is under threat. But at United that scenario simply isn’t possible. I’m in charge of all footballing matters, including our scouting network and youth teams. In that sense I’m very fortunate, because I can make quick decisions on who to bring in next to strengthen the squad and where to get them from.”
Man Utd News 24/7
Sir Alex is without peer,
football will never see his like again,
long may he reign
Fergie and his manchester united dynasty. No where in world football will you find a manager that’s is in full control of every footballing matters.
But you also need to be capable and have capacity of doing all that SAF do….that is the reason why he can think long term.
Fergie is a legend. Love it. Interestingly that type of control is what Guardiola has expressed as his desire….I’d bloody love him to replace Sir Alex when he eventually (which I do hope is a few years away) calls it a day
yes he is in control!!!
It’s his brilliant track record. Hoping that it’s a club thing and his succesor will have the same vote of confidence, but I doubt it.
I think the position that Sir Alex is in has helped almost as much as his own talent as a manager. He is not just a manager, he is a patriarch. That is the power he’s got, and I think the lesson we have got to take from him is that whoever manages the club, if they have support, if they are guaranteed continuity, then that will help them. If we become a club that just has a revolving door management system we are going to struggle. We’ve got to find the right man for the job, and then we’ve got to keep him.
For our part as fans it is going to be difficult. Because essentially what we need to do is give the next manager of this football club exactly the same support and faith as Sir Alex. If we shred our managers the way that lesser clubs do, then we won’t ever see another Sir Alex or Sir Matt.
Heretical as it is to say, we may see Sir Alex’s like again. I hope we do. There is only one Alex Ferguson, but of course we’ll have great managers in the future. We could be having this conversation in sixty years time talking about three decades of unmatched success under the stewardship of Alicia Scholes for all we know. We can’t know right now, but I see no reason not to expect another great manager down the line. Did anybody think Sir Matt would be equalled when we brought in Sir Alex?
There will be more golden ages for us, believe that.
I got out of the shower and my mrs said, “Ooo look, it’s like a penis… only smaller.”
I said, “Ooo look, it’s like my secretary… only fatter, less flexible & doesn’t take it up the balloon knot”.
We all follow sir Alex!! He is the man
moyes should be our next manager aft fergie retires, has all the qualities
gives youth a chance
eye 4 a bargain
most of his signings have dn well
scottish
hates liverpool
good record
longetivity
young and hungry 4 success
also might get fellaini or ross ‘the boss’ barkley with him
Ricky
Looks too much like Mo from the simpsons to be United manager.
MikeKelly – hahahahahaha, just realised that now.
Every single one of us… Loves Alex Ferguson, loves Alex Ferguson, loves Alex Ferguson!!
at mikek12
haha i knew he lookd like sum1 bt couldnt put my finger on it.
its nt about the looks if it was no1 wudve hired dalgliesh
Ricky
Haha, old sour chops would indeed have been a shoe in, however, our new non racist policy would have to be quashed.
New thread folks, Scott must be pissed at not getting any valentines.
Moyes could be worth a go.
He doesn’t have experience of winning anything, playing in Europe or dealing with big egos.
But his approach to youth is pretty great.
I’d rather see a team full of homegrown United youth prospects finish mid-table than a team full of expensive foreigners win the league.
There is no dout about it. Believe it or not he sir alex is greatest of them all.
The Godfather!
Let’s hope he stays forever , but martin oneill would get the nod ahead of moyes for me ! Even arry could be worth giving a shot but he is gettin on a bit himself !
Agree about the manager. One in a million really. But there is little chance that we will get a manager who starts out like Fergie did. Brave thing it was not dropping him after 2 years. Do ya really think United fans won’t turn into dogs like so many others teams have seen. What will it take to get it right.
I share the sentiment that there are other managers like Sir Matt and and Sir Alex. But how many have confidence that we have the ownership, management, and fans to make it stick. Can’t read the future, but I have faith.
Doghouse: Alicia Scholes……. well spotted mate!
HAHA The Godfather, but he is….
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1021748/sir-alex-ferguson:-man-united-close-to-barcelona-and-real-madrid?campaign=rss&source=soccernet&cc=5901
Nice read, TC and Vida with Tony V and Rooney wow here we come.
900, 12, 19 Thanks Giggs.
Actually I’m in charge
Well the last I looked anyway on Football Manager 2012
SAF needs to know the truth
Harry worth a shout? Are you pissed. I don’t want that beetroot crook cunt anywhere near our great clun. Fuck me. Some fucking mad posts tonight. Redknapp. Christ.
Wanna add,not only did SAF won 12,he stayed competitive and challenged rivals till the very end. Proud united fan
Nothing against Harry but united. No . Dippers yes
I won’t take part in any discussion about who might be best to replace Sir Alex, becauise it is way too premature. But I am curious about something and am interested in hearing what others think: does Sir Alex’s autonomy and absolute control of all football matters at United stem from his own success, or does it reflect a deeply held view within the club that this is how things should be done, regardless of who the manager is?
I guess we won’t know the answer until Sir Alex steps aside for his successor, whoever that might be. The reason I ask that question is that I personally believe this is the right way to run a leading football club: complete autonomy for one man, backed by real commitment and patience from the club. Meaning: appoint the guy for 5 years, with guaranteed autonomy and budget guarantees too, and only very loose performance-review measures (which would be pre-agreed) — for example, no more than one season out of Europe, and a consistent top-half PL finish. Something like that.
I know some on here will be amazed that I think things might get that bad when SAF leaves. But I don’t necessarily predict doom-and-gloom — and that’s not the point anyway. The point is that the club — including all of us — must be prepared. It’s all very well for Sir Alex to say these things — I am delighted that he is able to do so. And many of us of course remember his first few years here — the club stood by him then (even if many of the fans did not). I just hope the next manager gets the same backing and commitment from the club, whatever may happen.
Mikekelly12 AT 15:49
hahahahahahah fucking priceless