Glory, Glory Man Utd. Harry Harris
than he had at his disposal, and that it was no longer a challenge to which he could aspire. Fergie Time was a back handed recognition of his desire to squeeze every last second from a match if there was a glimmer of hope of rescuing a game but Father Time had caught up with the man at last in his pursuit of that elusive third Champions League.
Undoubtedly the highest high point of his entire, illustrious United career was the night in Barcelonaʼs Nou Camp in May 1999 when stoppage – time goals from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer turned defeat into victory as the soon to be knighted Alex Ferguson muttered his now famous phrase: “Football – bloody hell.” It capped the greatest season by any English football team, a unique treble of League, FA Cup and European Cup. “Everything their hearts desire!” in the immortal words of Clive Tyldesley.
Then there was the knocking of Liverpool off their perch, with United assuming the mantel of Englandʼs most successful club. By the end of his reign he had also batted away challenges from Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City. By the end of his reign United were a title winning machine honed to perfection to pump out result after result, even if at times the football was less than scintillating.
Sir Alex might have wanted to sit on his decision for a few days and announce it to the fans first, after he and his players had collected the Premier league trophy in the home game with Swansea at the weekend. But news of his decision was leaking out and speculation grew, especially when the Old Trafford press office refused to deny the story. The story originally emerged late on Tuesday evening, with reports that Unitedʼs player versus coaches golf day at Dunham Massey had been overshadowed by the expectation of such an announcement, with many expecting a big announcement at the Swansea game. It could only mean one thing; bookmakers had taken a lot large bets on David Moyes being next United manager. Again hardly surprising, all the clues were there with Sir Alexʼs fellow Scot out of contract at the end of the season at long – term employers Everton.
While it might not have been entirely unexpected, nevertheless, in a contradiction in terms, it was still a huge shock when it was officially confirmed. As the BBC put it: “It was an announcement that came as a seismic shock to footballʼs system, coming so soon after a series of bullish statements from Ferguson hinting at exactly the opposite.”
From No 10, as Sir Alex occasionally dabbled in politics as well as horse racing, to The League Managers Association, where the United manager was a very active and influencial member, there was a deluge of reaction to Sir Alexʼs announcement, and as youʼd expect it was 100 per cent praiseworthy.
The LMA issued a statement, “We would like to congratulate Sir Alex Ferguson CBE on a truly remarkable and fantastic career following his announcement today that he will retire at the end of the season.” Chairman of the LMA, Howard Wilkinson observed, “todayʼs news draws to a close the career of a man and a manager, the likes of which we will never see again. His public face was always that of the ultimate professional with a fierce pride and determination to do the very best for his club. His frighteningly competitive nature has never nor ever will be equalled. He is the epitome of the mantra ʼSurvive, Win, Succeedʼ. But, in private, with those he trusted, he was the very best sort of friend you could ever wish for. To say his presence on the bench will be sorely missed in no way begins to describe the massive hole he will leave behind. He always said he was too old to retire, letʼs hope he manages to enjoy the retirement he deserves.”
Richard Bevan, chief executive of the LMA, remarked, “Sir Alex has left an indelible legacy not only at Manchester United but on the art of football management itself. 36 major trophies in 26 years in charge of the Club is a record that simply speaks for itself. Itʼs not just his longevity in the game, at one of the worldʼs biggest and most demanding clubs which is remarkable, rather it has been his ability to consistently deliver the highest levels of success throughout his 40 years and over 2150 matches in football management. What Sir Alex has achieved personally with both Manchester United and Aberdeen, where he broke the Old Firm stranglehold in winning 10 trophies in seven years before his appointment at Old Trafford, is unrivalled. At the LMA we are also extremely grateful for the amount of time and dedication he has willingly provided to our association and our members since he first joined in 1986. His input as an Executive Board member and Trustee has been invaluable in the development of the LMA. As he retires as the most successful manager in the history of the British game we congratulate him on a magnificent career and wish him all the very best for the future.”
Bryan Robson, at United from 1981 until 1994 and still an ambassador at Old Trafford and one time captain of club and country, commented, “It is unbelievable to change around probably four different squads and have the success he has. Ferguson is probably the greatest club manager ever.” Legendary goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel said, “Itʼs come as an absolute bombshell. Iʼm sad and disappointed. I was really, really hoping he was going to stay for another couple of years.” Schmeichelʼs treble – winning team – mate of 1999, Dwight Yorke, added, “Regaining the Premier League this season, heʼs managed to do that, so in many respects thatʼs the reason, with the hip operation and David Gill leaving, I just feel itʼs the right time for him to go.”
Paul Ince played under Sir Alex for six years between 1989 and 1995. The former England captain now a manger in his own right, knows there will never be another manager to replicate Fergusonʼs achievements, “You will never see anyone of his kind again. His standards were so high. He was so demanding. Yes, we had our ups and down. The way he treated me was like a son.” Former England striker Michael Owen played under Sir Alex at United from 2009 until 2012, remarked, “He is arguably the greatest manager to have ever lived and to say I played under him for three years is a proud thing to say.”
Ruud van Nistelrooy was one of several high-profile superstars who fell out with Sir Alex, yet he tweeted, “20012006, 219 games, 150 goals under the most successful manager in football history. It was a unique privilege.” Now manager of Norwegian side Molde, and tipped to be a future manager at Old Trafford, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer spent over a decade at United, playing over 200 games from 1996 until 2007. He told MUTV, “I will never forget the loyalty he showed me. Everything I have learnt I have learnt from the boss.” Richard Scudamore, Premier League chief executive, added, “The Premier League has had the privilege to witness many great players, managers and teams. No one has made as great a contribution to the Premier League than Sir Alex Ferguson.” While Stuart Lancaster, the England rugby coach commented, “His longevity and what he has achieved as a coach I think is unparalleled in world sport. I admire him hugely for what he has done.” Rory McIlroy, remarked, “An end of an era today! Sir Alex Ferguson, the greatest of all time! United will have a tough time trying to replace him!”
But the fallout from Sir Alexʼs departure was immediate. The truth about Wayne Rooneyʼs position quickly emerged, for example. Rooney had told Sir Alex he wanted a new challenge two weeks before the managers retirement. Rooney wanted a fresh challenge after nine years at the club, but the club were adamant that their forward was not for sale as Rooney was set to be reunited with his former Everton manager David Moyes. Yet, Moyes and Rooney have had their differences. In 2008, Moyes accepted substantial libel damages over claims made in Rooneyʼs book about their relationship at Everton. Since then the pair have reconciled. In September 2012, Rooney wrote on Twitter: “Everton are playing brilliantly. David Moyes has done some job over the last 10 years.”
Rooney left Moyes and his hometown club Everton at the age of 18 in August 2004 in a deal worth an eventual 27m, scoring 197 goals in 402 appearances for United, winning five league titles, two League Cups and a Champions League. Rooney had scored 16 in 37 appearances in helping United to their 20th league title, 12 of those coming in the league. Yet there had been persistent speculation in the second half of the season that Rooney may leave, especially after being sitting out the Champions League second – round tie against Real Madrid with Danny Welbeck preferred in attack. He was no longer leader of the attack following Robin Van Persieʼs arrival from Arsenal. Days later as the speculation about Rooneyʼs future escalated Ferguson promised that he would stay at the club, saying: “Heʼll be here next year. You can have my word on that.” The manager later said Rooney would be given a new deal but that was before the truth emerged about the managerʼs retirement.
Rooney first asked to leave Old Trafford in October 2010 when