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“It’s getting tickly now – squeaky-bum time, I call it.”
- Speaking about the title race at the end of the 2002/2003 season, Fergie coins a phrase the British media still uses. The Red Devils ended the season as champions despite behind eight points behind Arsenal in March.
“I can’t believe it. I can’t believe it. Football. Bloody hell.”
- On the 1999 Champions League triumph
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One of the greatest managers of all times, Sir Alex Ferguson needs no introduction. The longest-serving manager of all times and possibly the most successful Manchester United manager, Sir Alex has achieved every possible accolade with Manchester United and remains one of the most respected managers in the history of football. Not many know this but when SAF took over the reins of Manchester United, they were not at the pinnacle rather they were languishing at the bottom and Ferguson faced defeat in his first game. That season United ended up at a mediocre 11th spot. After three years of management Ferguson was at the brink of being sacked but twenty-five years later the same Alex Ferguson has an entire stand named after him and is literally the heartbeat of Manchester United. There are several highs and lows in his twenty-five year tenure. He was coaxed to Manchester United in 1986 and his start was not auspicious – the team lost to Oxford United. The team struggled for a few years (losing 5-1 to local rivals Manchester City in 1989). But the team won the 1990 FA Cup and as the policy of developing young players paid off, the club went from strength to strength during the 1990s. From the most dramatic treble in 1998-99 to the horror 6-1 thrashing at Old Trafford at the hands of local rivals Manchester City this season SAF has endured it all. From having to manage the hot-headed Eric Cantona to dealing with the departure of English starlet David Beckham and most of all transforming Cristiano Ronaldo from an amateur winger to a world-class talent and then shipping him off to Real Madrid for a record £80million, Sir Alex has done what few managers could have barely attempted to do. He brought in a wave of discipline into the squad with the infamous “hair-dryer” to the tirade of abuses and in his own quirky way transformed them into the powerful brand they are now.
He does possess a share of enviable stats at MUFC and this record shall remain around for a very long time perhaps even forever. Some people love him and some people hate him but you gotta admit Sir Alex Ferguson is a living legend and shall forever be etched into the hearts all United fans as the messiah who looks after Manchester.
Courtesy Wikipedia
- Manchester United
- Premier League (12): 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11
- FA Cup (5): 1989–90, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1998–99, 2003–04
- League Cup (4): 1991–92, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10
- FA Charity/Community Shield (10): 1990 (shared), 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011
- UEFA Champions League (2): 1998–99, 2007–08
- UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup (1): 1990–91
- UEFA Super Cup (1): 1991
- Intercontinental Cup (1): 1999
- FIFA Club World Cup (1): 2008
Managers praise Sir Alex on completing 25 years.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: “All you can say is that is remarkable through the quality and the consistency. It is exceptional as well because I don’t know anybody at this level who has done 25 years at the top level with the same club. Certainly never anybody will do it again.”
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho: ”Sir Alex is a unique manager in the history of English football. And Sir Alex is a unique manager in the history of European football. I really wish he stays in the job with the same happiness and ambition for many, many more years.”
“I want to congratulate him. When somebody has spent 25 years at a team like Manchester [United], the only thing you can do is stand up and take your hat off,” Pep Guardiola told reporters during a press conference.
“We are all really lucky at Manchester United – really lucky – we have had 25 years of absolute paradise”, Sir Bobby Charlton said.
I know most of you have begun to question Sir Alex’s integrity after the 6-1 thrashing but let me remind you that no team is perfect. What matters most is who wins the league! This is not the first time Sir Alex has faced a horrific defeat. This is just to remind you all about the legacy of Sir Alex Ferguson and the era of Manchester domination he brought in. Dedicated to all the fans! Vintage United!
This post also appeared on Lazy Optimist
