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Sir Alex Ferguson, arguably the greatest manager ever to have stepped onto the football field left an indelible imprint on the modern game. The Old Trafford faithful will perhaps worship his work ethic and his inspirational ways for ages to come. The Glaswegian was blessed with the greatest quality of infusing just the right sort of motivation specific to every player at just the right time.He had the courage to take on the world with his blend of belief and confidence to prove that he was right. The story of Sir Alex Ferguson is a story of desire, passion, and determination. On his 74th birthday, we look at some of his greatest quotes.
#1 During half time in the 1999 Champions League final
“At the end of the game the European Cup will be just 6 feet away from you and if we lose you won’t be able to touch it. That’s the closest some of you will ever get. Don’t you dare come back here without giving your 100%”.
This iconic quote probably won Manchester United their second European Cup and completed the historic treble for them in the 1998-99 season. United trailed Bayern Munich for 90 minutes before goals from substitutes Sheringham and Solkjaer in injury time won them the final.
This quote beautifully described the narrow margins between victory and defeat but the wide margins of emotions between them. Players from that final always recall how these words from the Gaffer spurred them on to give their best.
#2 Talking about the importance of hard work in his autobiography
“Hard work will always over come natural talent if natural talent doesn’t work hard enough.”
This quote aptly summed up how demanding and disciplined he was throughout his life and how he always expected the same from his players. There was no room for complacency at Manchester United, irrespective of the fact that you might be a Beckham, a Keane or a Ronaldo. One was always expected to give his all for the team.
His personal life and the ethics he followed were the perfect example of how laborious and determined a human being he was. His contemporaries not only regarded him as a great manager but also a great human being.
#3 On what his greatest challenge as a manager was
“My greatest challenge isn’t what’s happening at the moment, my greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool off their f*****g perch. You can print that.”
This is one quote the Mancunians will love. Fearless, bold and confident, Alex Ferguson openly admitted he was obsessed with breaking Liverpool’s record of 18 league titles. At the time when he arrived from Aberdeen all those years ago it seemed like an impossible dream but Sir Alex turned this dream into reality in 2011 when Manchester United won a record-breaking 19th Premier League title to become the most successful club in English Football history.
United currently hold 20 Premier League titles while Liverpool’s record still stands at 18 league titles.
#4 On taking up the role of manager of Manchester United
“The one important thing about management you have got to take decisions that aren’t popular, but you know you right you have gotta take it. I think I can do that.”
This quote should serve as the benchmark for all managers in football. Ferguson invited the ire of critics time and time again with his peculiar and strange decisions but in the end, he proved the critics wrong. Be it his decision to go ahead in 1995-96 season with youth academy players or parting ways with many great names, Ferguson was always proved right in the end.
He always reiterated the fact that no player was bigger than the club and took some bold and unpopular decisions like parting ways with greats like David Beckham and Roy Keane.
#5 At his farewell speech in 2013
“Your job now is to stand by your new manager. That is important.”
Sir Alex Ferguson was second to none in terms of experience. While retiring, he foresaw the bumpy road ahead for Manchester United and urged the Old Trafford faithful to be patient.
Sadly these imploring words of his fell on some deaf ears as his successor David Moyes endured a sticky spell at Old Trafford with fans repeatedly asking for his dismissal. Granted, Moyes didn’t inspire much confidence with his methods. Ferguson’s successor was finally sacked 9 months into the job, and was replaced by Ryan Giggs as interim player-manager.
#6 After winning the Champions League final in 1999
“Football. I can’t believe it. Football bloody hell”
Perhaps his most famous and talked about quote is the perfect adjective to describe his illustrious career. In simple words, his success was unbelievable and it raised the expectations of the team for the future. His personality also rubbed off on the team, making them believe that being a Manchester United player means that you are expected to deliver success.
His legacy and place in history is irreplaceable. There might be another Pele, Maradona or Messi, but I doubt there will be another Sir Alex Ferguson. The football world will definitely miss his presence on the touchline.
