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Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he may have missed out on winning more titles at Old Trafford because of his hard stance on discipline at the club. Known to be a very strict disciplinarian, Sir Alex won 13 Premier League titles with the Red Devils until he retired in 2013.
Although his approach may have cost him titles, the 73-year-old said he had no regrets.
Sir Alex says in his new book Leading: “People will give a manager plenty of opportunities to crack the whip so it's best to pick and choose your moments.
“You don't have to dish out a punishment very often before everyone gets the message. I place discipline above all else and it might have cost us several titles.
“But if I had to repeat things I'd do it precisely the same because discipline has to come before anything else.”
Many United players have felt Sir Alex’s wrath
A number of players have rubbed him the wrong way and suffered the consequences, including club legends such as David Beckham, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Roy Keane. Beckham was even at the receiving end of a football boot kicked in his face, as recounted in Sir Alex’s autobiography released two years ago.
“In his final season with us, we were aware that David's work-rate was dropping and we had heard rumours of a flirtation between Real Madrid and David's camp,” Ferguson said. “The main issue was that his application level had dropped from its traditionally stratospheric level.
”He was around 12 feet from me. Between us on the floor lay a row of boots. David swore. I moved towards him, and as I approached I kicked a boot. It hit him right above the eye.
“Of course he rose to have a go at me and the players stopped him. 'Sit down,' I said. 'You've let your team down. You can argue as much as you like.’”
Van Gaal also a strict disciplinarian
While Dutch boss Louis van Gaal’s credentials need no introduction, he too has come under the scanner for the way he handles his players. Most recently, goalkeeper Victor Valdes was alienated from the squad in pre-season.
Van Gaal had said in July: “He is not selected because he doesn’t follow our philosophy and there is no place for that one player.
“Philosophy is how you play football and how you maintain your match rhythm. When you are not willing to follow the principles of the philosophy, then there is only one way and that is out.”
The goalkeeper has since not been selected in Manchester United’s Champions League squad although he is still in the Premier League squad.
