Sir Alex Ferguson has been at the helm of Manchester United for over two decades.
The Scot took over at Old Trafford from Aberdeen during turbulent times for the Red Devils but the misery seems nothing more than a distant memory, not for Sir Alex though.
From the Treble in 1999 to the Double in 2008, Manchester United is global phenomenon.
The ex-Rangers striker has eight Premier League Manager of the Year Awards besides twenty-three Manager of the Month Awards.
He has won the English Premier League a record ten times, the FA Cup five times, the Carling Cup twice, the UEFA Champions League twice, the Community Shield eight times and the European Super Cup once as well amongst his glorious list of accolades.
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It's hard to picture another manager at Manchester United, whether you think of Carlos Quieroz, Ryan Giggs, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Darren Ferguson, Bryan McClair, or even Eric Cantona.
Ferguson's "Guile" watch has outlasted Jose Mourinho's time in the Premier League while Britain's chewing gum business continues to depend on him.
Ferguson has given supporters and players alike many memories to cherish and dread—including the boot to Beckham and the war with Keegan.
He made some fantastic signings like Bryan McClair, Eric Cantona, and Cristiano Ronaldo; and some not-so-good signings like Kleberson and Massimo Taibi.
Recently, Ferguson said he would retire within the next three seasons but he earlier pulled out of a retirement in 2002.
Personally, I don't think Sir Alex Ferguson will ever retire from the United manager's post and since he can never be sacked—Manchester United and their 66-year-old manager will be together "till death do us part."
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3 months ago
Every Club needs a fresh manager after a while. I don't believe that any manager, no matter how succesful needs to move in a new direction in 20-30 years at the most. The problem with keeping a manager for so long is that they start to become complacent and become stubborn to a changing scene in football. As the "til death do us part" mantra sets in, they become complacent as they know that it would take a lot to get them sacked. They start making bad decisions (e.g. in the transfer market by spending recklessly on dud players). The manager may also become almost oblivious to changes in the game. We look at the highly succesfuly long-ball tactic that served England so well in their World Cup win. It isn't as succesful anymore. As new tactics and ideas about the game starts to come out, it is hard for long-staying managers to adapt.
from 3 months ago
i dont agree. complacency is something that is part of ones personality. if fergie has complacency in him it would have surfaced 2-3 seasons into his united career. but even after nearly 23 years he remains as involved and hard nosed regarding his decisions as ever! i think Ferguson For Life is a bloody good idea!
3 months ago
Fergie has adapted to the changes in the game well and still has that managerial instinct that makes him great! Fergie for life? As Utd fan, I dont mind!
3 months ago
Fergie is probably one of the only few managers in the world who can NEVER be sacked. I know anything is possible in football, but i have to say, Fergie being sacked is probably one of those things that can never happen. Sadly i dread the day when he leaves us and we have to go through a transition period with the new manager.
from 3 months ago
Amen to that John , Fergie will never b sacked , for one the Fans at Old Trafford just would not allow it , Id be furious if he did , but we all know he wont , he will be at the club until death does us part from him . I reckon he will only leave United in a box , maybe he wont be manager at the point he passes away but he will be stil very high up at the club , we owe him everything and he owes us nothing , best way to be as far as im concerned , makes for happy players , fans and Gaffer hence success .
3 months ago
sir alex ferguson is a truly great manager, the best in united's history. yes, even better than sir matt busby. a true legend, and i too dread the day when he leaves. i could not imagine a united side without sir alex as manager.
3 months ago
Fergie is the only manager who has shown his committment in the football arena, he has made history and is going to make history so it's to early to say that he sholud retire, keep on doing the right thing, Fergie you are a man who knows what us the Man U suppoters want.
Tapiwa Tongonzayi
3 months ago
but as he continues to make the red devils shine doen't that show that he is getting better and better like wine?
2 months ago
It really is a brilliant success story. He made ManUtd what it is. And club board feels alike therefore a nice partnership is going on. Of course this escalates the expectations and Sir Alex manages to fullfill them every once in a while. But in case of a drought what would happen is another question.
British fans, generally are really grateful for what they get and they don't ask for sackings so soon, which is a good thing (in the country I live, it is exactly the opposite). Even though people may not like their managers at first, they always give them a chance and even change their decisions based upon progress, enjoying their mistake in judging the man in charge. If it was not the case we may not have even heard of Sir Alex Ferguson, or maybe heard of him, but at the helm of another success story, who knows.
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