Football Update: Sir Alex Ferguson completes 24 years at Manchester United (Part 2)
Sir Alex Ferguson arrived 24 years ago to a club that had been living in its past for too long. The Scott took Manchester United back to the pinnacle of English and European football and has certainly transformed it into a legendary status.
He is now one month away to surpass yet another legendary figure at United, Sir Matt Busby, to become the longest serving manager of all time.
Ferguson's management style is such that he considers no player is bigger than the club. The players who try to take different line are immediately shown the exit door, it doesn’t matter how big profile player he may be. Fergie’s ‘hairdryer treatment’ is
also very popular. Players know that if their performance is poor they will have to face Ferguson. Former United star striker Mark Hughes, now Fulham manager described Ferguson’s hairdryer treatment.
Hughes said: "He would stand nose-to-nose with you and just shout and bawl and you would end up with your hair behind your head,"
The Scott has managed more then 1000 games at Old Trafford and is considered among the very best managers of all time. He has won more trophies than any other manager in English football history. Now with 24 years under his belt, he is just a month away
of beating Sir Matt Busby’s record of longest serving manager in the history of United.
Sir Alex popularly known as Fergie, won his Premier League in 2008–09 season, making him the first manager in the history of English football to have won the Premier League 3 times in a row, on more than one occasion. In total, he has won 11 league titles
for United, and now they are level to Liverpool with record 18 league championships and if he manages to win it this year, it is widely thought that it will be the perfect time to say goodbye.
This year could turn out to be the toughest test for the United boss. Although Sir Alex had already prioritized the Champions League this season but also he believes that Premier League will be the toughest campaign in years. Last year United were firm favourites
to win the Competition but the Gaffer considers bad luck to be the main factor, as they lost to Bayern Munich at the quarter final stage. He also admits that conceding the league title to Chelsea by just a point margin was hard to take and has wowed to win
it back this year.
Phelan pay tribute to 24-years of Ferguson
Assistant manager Mike Phelan, who is Fergie’s right hand and number 2 at United has paid tributes to United boss, on this momentous occasion. Mike, who signed by Ferguson as a player before joining back as part of United's academy staff in 1999, eventually
rising to his current post shared his thoughts.
Phelan said: “It is a magnificent achievement. It is unique. I have been fortunate to see quite a few years of those 24. I started with him when I had hair - and a moustache. He deserves the plaudits he has received and he has more to offer football
because he adapts all the time. That is one of his secrets. He is open to new ideas and open to changing things and players and building new teams.”
It is simply incredible when you look back all the wonderful years of Fergie’s reign and how football has changed but to survive that long is indeed a testament to the drive, passion and hard work the man possesses. His passion is such that even a Virus
could not hold back the United boss on Saturday’s last minute 2-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers to commemorates his anniversary. It would be interesting to see how long he can continue but one would hope he can continue season after season as he will be
impossible to replace.
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