Sir Alex Ferguson, G.O.A.T.. Harry Harris

      Preface

      There are few people who know The Real Alex Ferguson.

      Those who do have contributed to this unique insight into the secrets of Fergusonʼs life and career. Fergusonʼs friends, colleagues, associates, those who have played for him and worked for him at both Aberdeen and Manchester United. The chairmen, the agents, the gameʼs administrators. Even the dreaded media – written press, radio and TV personalities.

      Friend and foe alike have a common bond of admiration for Fergusonʼs success. Together they paint a portrait of what makes Fergie tick ... The Ferguson Effect. Itʼs a virtual Whoʼs Who of football. Anyone who is anyone in the game has been more than willing to provide thoughts, views and anecdotes about a living legend in management.

      And some surprises are unearthed. For example, both Spurs and Arsenal approached Ferguson to become their manager. Arsenal opted for George Graham instead, while Tottenham actually offered Ferguson the post and he accepted! Irving Scholar shook hands with Ferguson on the deal and only a last-minute change of heart prevented the course of soccer history being altered – Ferguson becoming boss at White Hart Lane to succeed Keith Burkinshaw.

      While Graham proved to be the right choice for Highbury, until he was unseated by bung allegations, Scholar was convinced that Ferguson would have revitalised the other end of north London. Maybe all that success Ferguson has brought to Old Trafford was destined for Spurs.

      And for the first time former Football Association chief executive Graham Kelly reveals just how close England came to appointing the first Scotsman to manage their national side.

      These are just some of the insights into the life and times of Ferguson through the eyes of the people he has encountered throughout his fascinating and highly successful career – a more comprehensive insight than even Ferguson might provide himself!

      Fittingly this in-depth study comes at a time when Ferguson has regained Manchester Unitedʼs domination of the domestic game surrendered to Arsenal and not only won the elusive Championsʼ League but also landed the seemingly impossible Treble.

      Ferguson paid tribute to the achievements of Arsenal and Arsene Wenger, the Frenchman who became the first foreign coach to win the elusive Double.

      The game had changed forever, with Ruud Gullit starting the silverware revolution of the foreign coaches at the Bridge and Luca Vialli landing a double of his own as an English team – well, French, Italian, et al – brought home a European trophy.

      Those who consider Ferguson to be a moaning whinger who rarely gives credit where credit is due, would have been shocked when the deposed boss of the champions was in effusive mood about Arsenalʼs Double.

      He said: ʼArsene Wenger deserved success. It was very important to him to win. Heʼs had some criticism and so have I but to come through and win something makes it all worthwhile. Winning the Double is very important – very few teams have done it. When you look at 120 years of football and see how few teams have done it, it shows just what an achievement it is. It isnʼt the highlight of my career, though. That was winning the Premiership for the first time because I had achieved what I set out to. Arsenal did exceptionally well to win the league. We were only one point behind. ʼGetting into the Championsʼ League was really important to us. Weʼve had a degree of success. We were disappointed not to get beyond Monaco but injuries took their toll. We were desperately unlucky against Borussia Dortmund the year before.ʼ

      Fergusonʼs unquenchable ambition was matched by the clubʼs £28m worth of signings – Dwight Yorke, Jaap Stam and Jesper Blomqvist. It proved to be money well spent.

      His influence will live on. A number of his players at Aberdeen moved into management, influenced by him. Of all Fergusonʼs management virtues, Steve Bruce most wants to emulate a driven, insatiable need to win. ʼI hope Iʼve learned from Fergie. He is very, very clever. His attention to detail is fantastic. Heʼs learned from other countries. Brian Kidd was all over Europe five or six years ago, watching different coaching methods and introducing detailed diets. But the one thing I hope Iʼve learned most from Fergie is his unbelievable desire to win, and I think the way you get that across to players is in the way you handle situations, the way people look at you.ʼ