I have been going to write a post on Alex Ferguson for some time, but as a Leeds United fan, it is hard to write something positive about a fierce rival, but on the eve of his resignation it would seem that now is the appropriate time.
As much as I hate Manchester United, and I am not alone in this, I have to respect the achievements of Alex Ferguson.
Achieving success is a difficult, but to achieve it consistently over a 30 plus year period is outstanding.
I personally believe that his achievements prior to taking over at Manchester were the most impressive of his career.
He took an unfashionable Aberdeen team, and not only became the first team outside of the Glasgow giants of Celtic or Rangers to win the league in over 15 years, but also achieved European success beating Real Madrid to win the European Cup Winners Cup, this wasn’t a David v Goliath type achievement, this was David’s little brother beating, Goliath’s big brother.
Alex Ferguson knows exactly what’s needed to create a Winning Culture, he inspires his teams to greatness, and selects not just the best players, but those who share his aspirations. He is ruthless when it comes to removing players who do not share his ethos, but he is also fearless when it comes to defending those that do.
Often despised by supporters of other clubs, but very much respected and any of those supporters would have been happy to have had him as their manager.
The most interesting aspect for me was how he continued to motivate his players year after year, true there were often new players brought into the team, but over a 10 year period he had a consistent core of players, Schmeichel, Neveille, Butt, Beckham, Scholes and Giggs. With the last two Scholes and Giggs still playing for him after 18 years.
What do you say to a player after 18 years to motivate them; what can you tell him that he hasn’t heard before.
Often Managers and Leaders have a shelf life and after a given number of years, may 3, 4 or 5; and after that they have nothing knew to say; they can no longer inspire their teams; and they need to move on to a new team to start their process of inspiration of progress again.
Ferguson has done that for 26 years at Manchester, and that is truly and outstanding achievement. No doubt about it.
His record speaks for itself, he has won 49 trophies including:
Champions League (2), Premier League (13), FA Cup (5), League Cup (4), Club World Cup (1), Intercontinental Cup (1), Cup Winners’ Cup (2) European Super Cup (2), Community Shield (10), Scottish Premier League (3), Scottish Cup (4), Scottish League Cup (1), and Scottish First Division (1).
Many people claim that he is the greatest football manager of all time.
I am not so sure I agree with that.
In my opinion, he is the greatest domestic manager of all time, for sure.
But Ferguson has only won 5 trophies in Europe, 2 with Aberdeen and only 3 with Manchester, and has only won the Champions League twice.
Given Manchester United domestic dominance, over the past 20 years, this doesn’t seem like a very good enough return.
During this same period 5 other managers: Vincente Del Bosque; Carlo Anccelotti; Jose Mourinho; and Pep Guardiola have all won 2 Champions League titles.
Vincente Del Bosque, then took over as Spanish National Manager went on to win European Championship twice and the World Cup with Spain.
Jose Mourinho has won league titles in Portual, England, Italy and Spain, as well as 2 Champions League Trophies, and is still only 50.
Whilst Pep Guardiola has only been in management 5 years and in that period he won 14 trophies with Barcelona, including 2 Champions League Trophies.
The greatest manager of all time is a debate that will continue, Ferguson is definitely in the discussion, but I am not sure that he is the greatest.
I am happy to see him go out as a Winner, which he has been throughout his career, he has my highest respect and I wish him a happy, well earned retirement.
What’s your view, do you think he is the greatest, if not who do you think is better, and why?
Gordon Tredgold
Permalink
First things which comes in my mind is …what was the motivation for him to be there for 26+ years … i think it was loyalty and focus to make the club or keep the club in top league….same i feel for Arsen Wenger…both of the managers has spent there career building team and making a star out of no where… in simple words they have groomed the players to become a big star… indeed Sir Alex is more ruthless than Mr. Wenger…. on that area he is only comparable to Jose Murineho…if i just look at the results or should i say leaving mark in whole europe then Jose Murineho will have his nose ahead… But if somebody asks whom do you like to work for my answer will be Sir Alex…because here heart takes over the mind….nobody can last for 26 years only using his mind and giving result day in and day out…winning is one thing but winning with a team is another thing… very good insight post sir…
Alex Ferguson stayed for 26 years because when he arrived his ambition was to knock Liverpool off their Perch, to do this he needed win 12 titles, that he did 2 years ago. I think he would have left last year had they won, but that defeat made them him stay another year to finish as a winner.
He achieved his gaol, it wasn’t a short term goal it was a long term 25 year goal. Now thats determination.
As a Liverpool man it hurts to say it Gordon, but Sir Alex is one of the greatest football managers ever seen and we will never see his ilk again. He did what he set out to do and took the top spot from Liverpool who have struggled ever since to recover (which is a discussion for another day).
I agree with you in your summation that he is the greatest domestic manager of all time although I still believe Bob Paisley runs it ever so close with his record of 20 honours in 9 years ,he remains the only man in history to manage three European Cup-winning sides. Bob Paisley also had a similar mentality to Sir Alex. His quote” “Mind you, I’ve been here during the bad times too – one year we came second!” says it all but in terms of domestic and league titles Sir Alex cannot be touched.
Determination as you have touched on sums up Sir Alex. If you want a lesson in management, tactics, man mangement, leadership, strategy and sheer tanicity, look no further, having constantly built winning sides year in, year out, dealing with player ego´s as well as the board and the fans, he has it all in abundance.
As for the best manager ever? one of the best but in terms of achievement in many leagues and in European competition my vote would be José Mourinho.
Paul, fully agree with you. I had forgotten that Paisley had been there 9 years, it always felt to me like liver pool changed managers every 5 or 6 years, just pulled another out of the boot room. AS a Leeds fan, i will always appreciate Don Revie, Leeds won a lot, but also finished 2nd a lot too. Billy Bremner his autobiography was, You get Nowt for Finishing Second another tenacious competitor.
I am surprised with the choice of David Moyes, don’t want to say whether its a good or bad move, will just say asa LEeds fan i am happy they went for Moyes, which i think says it all 🙂
Permalink
Permalink
Permalink
Permalink
Permalink
Permalink