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The fire still burns inside Sir Alex Ferguson
Comments (4)
Wednesday, January 23, 2008 | 02:28 PM ET
Age has not mellowed Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ferguson caused quite the uproar after Reading fans complained he made offensive hand gestures during last Saturday's game at the Madejski Stadium.
It was claimed the Manchester United manager was responding to taunts by the home fans, but he insisted he was celebrating his side's 2-0 win which kept the Red Devils at the top of the Premier League.
Even at 66 years of age, the competitive fires still burn deep inside Ferguson.
Amazingly, even after everything he's accomplished in his career, the Scottish manager is still focused on one thing, and one thing only: winning.
Man U has won a staggering 19 major trophies during Ferguson's 21-year tenure in charge of the club and the Scot, who could be described as anything but complacent, seems intent on adding to that total.
And that has been the secret United's success over the years: its insatiable thirst for more glory and trophies.
Ferguson deserves the credit for instilling United with this winning attitude.
In total, between United and Scottish club Aberdeen, he has won a British record 29 trophies during his career. That's more hardware than the likes of legends Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Sir Matt Busby, and Brian Clough, four of the most revered managers in the history of British soccer.
Shankly is often referred to as the greatest British manager of all-time - and anyone who famously said "football is more important than life and death" is okay in my books - but it's hard to argue overlook Ferguson.
Critics will say Fergie has spent his way to success, but that's unfair. Yes, he's spent a lot of money on imports over the past two decades, but he's cultivated a wealth of talent from United's youth ranks, most notably Ryan Giggs.
Ferguson has also demonstrated a sharp eye for talent, signing temperamental Frenchman Eric Cantona (from Leeds), who many critics were writing off, and a young Portuguese winger by the name of Cristiano Ronaldo who not too many people even heard of six years ago.
Both players, of course, went on to establish themselves as towering figures at Old Trafford.
Ferguson gets the best out of his players and that's why United has been so successful - even after all of the years.
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John F. Molinaro is a reporter for CBC Sport Online whose chief love is international soccer. John served as senior editor of Sports Online's Euro 2004 website, which helped him win a CBC.ca Award of Excellence, and was the driving force behind our coverage of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He holds an honours BA in sociology from York University and a print journalism diploma from Sheridan College, and is also the author of The Top 100 Pro Wrestlers of All Time (Stewart House, 2002).
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Comments (4)
Alex
Calgary
And the hats come of to salute Mister Ferguson.In my eyes the greates coach ever.He knows how to get the best of players and that's how he have won all those trophies.Because he hasn't done it alone.In the game of soccer you need the motivator but also you need the player to buy in the system as we know soccer is a team play and a team work..If we follow that recipe success cannot refuse us as Mister Ferguson has show us. And again the hats come of to salute Mister Ferguson.
Posted January 23, 2008 10:27 PM
Kevin
Nanaimo
As an avid Manchester United fan it's great to see Sir Alex applauded for all he has accomplished but you have hit the nail head on when you talk about the players he has cultivated from the youth program. With Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, the Neville brothers and David Beckham to name a few there is no doubt that he can identify local talent as well as spend the necessary money to obtain the required international talent.
Manchester United has always been an exceptional organization which is confirmed by it's world wide fan base, but Sir Alex has taken that stature and elevated it to heights where very few organizations can go.
Posted January 24, 2008 12:01 PM
Ian Doran
Argyll
Sir Alex I feel is the greatest manager ever. His record speaks for itself. Look at the trophies he won with Aberdeen as well (including the European Cup Winners cup) - and he done that by bringing players through the youth ranks as he had no money available then. People say he has only won the Champions League once (that may change soon!), but remember he HAS won 3 european trophies as he also won the Cup Winners cup with Man U and Aberdeen. I know he can be controversial but tell me a manager who is'nt! He is the best!
Posted March 31, 2008 09:42 AM
RAOOF JAREEHAG
Sir Alex has done a wonderful job during his career and he is still going on. Keep it up Alex and we are patiently waiting for the match against chelsea on the 21st May in Moscow.
I am pretty sure we will win. GOOD LUCK.
Posted May 12, 2008 09:44 AM