By Kyle Dixon
It has certainly been a whirlwind few days in football. A few days that have been staggering, momentous and historical. But it’s all ended up with two of the longest serving Premier League managers ending their reigns at their clubs. It’s been a moment which some people were waiting for, and some people never thought would happen, but Sir Alex Ferguson has announced he will retire at the end of the season, after 26 years at Manchester United, and 38 years as a whole of being a football manager.
Sir Alex, or “Fergie” as he became known, will go down in history as one of the greatest managers to ever grace football. In my eyes, he is the best. He is number one in the hall of fame of football managers, if there could be one, and that’s simply due to the achievements he has gained throughout his stellar career. His ability to change with the times, to blood young talent, to find the top signings and to bounce back from losses are second to none. The man is someone who is always there for young managers to get advice from, and someone who’s passion never seemed to cease.
As a young Scottish manager crossing the border in 1986, he would have never begun to imagine the success he would have, especially after the first few years he had. Banners were put up calling for his head after three trophy-less seasons, as supporters and media alike clamoured for Ferguson’s sacking. I’m sure everyone remembers the story of how Mark Robins saved the Scot’s job, with a last minute FA Cup game winner, apparently. United have always denied the claim that Ferguson would have been sacked with a loss in that game, and it proved to be a turning point for the club.
The first Premier League title came soon after, with memories of Steve Bruce’s stoppage time winner coming to mind, which was the first recorded instance of “Fergie Time.” United’s dominance in the early years of the Premier League came down to Sir Alex’s ability to mould together a top quality side that knew how to grind out results for each other and their manager. Respect seeped through the United teams in the 1990’s for their master, which is something that never changed throughout the years. Even now, players that haven’t played for Ferguson for nearly 20 years, still call him “Boss.” Players that pulled on that red shirt for him were prepared to put 110% in every week out of pure respect for their manager. No manager has ever gained that sort of reaction from his players, or the opposition teams and fans, like Sir Alex Ferguson.
Times soon changed after that, and Fergie showed his ability to rebuild as he transformed a side that was full of ageing players, into a team full of young, hungry, talented individuals. The manager’s mind games soon begun with other team’s bosses, and I’m sure everyone can remember Kevin Keegan’s on air breakdown on Sky TV. That was the moment that United won the title that season. Everyone could see Ferguson had fooled Keegan and won the head antics, which led to Newcastle’s drop and United’s rise that season. His mind games also won United another a title only a few years ago, as “Rafa’s Rant” seemed to cost Liverpool the title, and hand it to their rivals at Old Trafford. Ferguson was a master at winning the touchline battle, and his rival managers soon were in awe.
It was in 1999 where Ferguson and United’s crowning moment came as the Red Devils lifted the UEFA Champions League, their third trophy that season, after two injury time goals dragged from behind to victory in the most unlikely of circumstances. It was a fantastic end to a fantastic season, and cemented that United team and Ferguson’s place in history. It was the first of two European Cups for the Scot, and to people who are saying how “he never beat Paisley’s three European Cups” I say, how great is Ferguson that we are complaining at him only winning two?
Many titles and trophies followed throughout the years, and along the way, Sir Alex showed the skills that made him such a great manager. His ability to bring through great young talent was amazing. He knew just when to play them, and how to help their journey to stardom. Just think about some of the youngster’s that he has either brought for or signed, and helped them on to greater things. There’s Gary and Phil Neville, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo. That’s just to name a few. What a production line. Can’t win anything with kids, right Hansen?
Another skill that Ferguson proved to show was recovering from losing a title. During his reign, Chelsea, Arsenal, Blackburn and Manchester City have won a Premier League title, and there were a few times where pundits wrote United off after. However, time after time, Ferguson rebuilt, and made United come back stronger, and that’s a testament to why he has helped United get to the 20 League Titles, and beat Liverpool’s record of 19. Ferguson has won 13 of those, and most of them were won in spectacular fashion.
Speaking of Liverpool, Sir Alex has certainly changed the landscape of football, since he came to Old Trafford. At the time, Liverpool were in full flow and were the best team in England for that decade. However, times have now changed. The Anfield club find themselves struggling to get into the European places now, and that is one of Alex Ferguson’s greatest achievements. Manchester United have now replaced Liverpool as the best in the country, and Liverpool are trailing behind, compared to Fergie’s Red Devils.
There are many other reasons which you could look for, but Sir Alex has proven himself throughout his career. He is simply the best ever. He will be near impossible to replace. But somebody has to follow him after his retirement. That man is somebody who many believe is Fergie, 25 years ago. That man is Everton’s David Moyes.
As already announced, Moyes will leave his post at Everton at the end of the season, and take over as Manchester United manager beginning from the 2013/14 season. He is a man that has been at Everton nearly 11 years, and has taken that club from strength to strength on a shoe-string budget. He has made spectacular bargain buys, and helped grow talent to the best of their ability. He is surely one of the best man managers in the country, and is a perfect fit to follow in the footsteps of Sir Alex. He fits all the ticks that United’s board would ask for. He is respectful, passionate, tactically clever and has experience in handling big name players. He was the man who helped the growth of Wayne Rooney to the great player the United frontman has become. It will be interesting to see how Moyes and Rooney work together again, should Wayne stay at Old Trafford.
I believe Moyes will do very well at Old Trafford if the Glazers give the Scot time. Manchester United fans should not expect to win the Premier League next season. It’s a big transition, and Moyes will need time to make the side his own, and gain the respect of the players. I would be very surprised if United lift the title next season, but never say never. Personally, I think the title will go to Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, but that’s a story for another article.
Speaking of Mourinho, he was many people’s choice for the United job over Moyes, but from what I understand, he was not even on the shortlist. That is a good decision by the United board. Yes, Jose is an amazing manager, but he is not what the Old Trafford club need after Fergie’s retirement. They would be looking for a new manager in four or five years if they would’ve appointed Mourinho, as he does not stay at a club longer than that throughout his career. He also brings a lot of bad press which is something that big people at United, including Sir Bobby Charlton, have gave discomfort at. I have said for a few years now that Moyes would follow Fergie, not Mourinho, and I’m glad I was right in my thinking.
But who will follow Moyes at Everton? It’s a job that has been stable for many years now, and all of a sudden, the Merseyside club are looking for a new manager. The two front-runners are Roberto Martinez at Wigan Athletic, and Michael Laudrup of Swansea City. While both are promising managers, they are also big risks for Everton. In terms of Martinez, Wigan’s end of season form every year is magical, and an FA Cup final this season is a good achievement. However, Wigan’s results before April are always poor, and a good manager should be consistent. Everton will be wary of that. For Laudrup, while he has had a fantastic season at Swansea, and lifted the Capital One Cup, he has only had one season in the Premier League. Many players are the victim of “Second-Season Syndrome”, and managers wouldn’t be different. That is a big risk for the Everton board. I do believe they will go for Martinez at Wigan, for arguments sake.
So it’s been a crazy week, and the history of football has been changed forever. Two long managerial reigns have ended, and the future is exciting. But let’s not forget the past. Sir Alex Ferguson deserves all the tributes he is getting, so personally, I’d like to say thank you Sir Alex.
