Glory, Glory Man Utd. Harry Harris
his former Boss was eager to offer his tribute, quelling any lingering doubts about their mutual respect despite the dressing room big boot fall out. Sir Alex commented, “You talk about longevity and in many ways reinventing himself, it has been absolutely incredible. When he went to America there wasnʼt a person in this place who really thought he could have a career. Yet he went on and still played for his country, he played for AC Milan in European ties and he played for PSG in European ties, and I donʼt think anyone could have imagined that.”
Sir Alex had signed the Leytonstone youngster as an 11-year-old in 1991 as Becks graduated from the ʼClass of 92ʼ along with Giggs, Scholes, Gary Neville and Nicky Butt, making almost 400 appearances under Fergie, winning six Premier League titles, a Champions League medal and two FA Cups. After a fall – out in 2003 following an FA Cup defeat by Arsenal when Fergie kicked a boot which hit Beckham in the face and inevitably Becks moved on to Real Madrid for £24.5 million. Sir Alex added: “The one thing he always had was unbelievable stamina as a kid. He had the best stamina in the club. He could run all day, and that has allowed him to stay in the game at that kind of level, playing for his country in his mid-30s. Coming from American football to do that is quite amazing, and he is an amazing person. I think heʼs picked the right time. Heʼs won the league again with PSG and he is exactly the same as me, he has plenty of things to do. Heʼs a young man, we know that fashion will be his role I would imagine but he will have plenty of things to do.”
However the big issue in the back of everybodyʼs mind was how new manager David Moyes would fill the big boots of Sir Alex, if indeed he could and how long would the United board, which now contained Moyesʼ biggest backer, Sir Alex himself, give him? And how would Sir Alex ensure that the “Busby Factorʼ didnʼt repeat itself.
Sir Alex commented, “Sir Matt created Manchester United, he was the origin of what we are today, thereʼs no doubt about that. He had the vision to take the club into Europe, he put the emphasis on younger players, we owe all that to him. I have just tried to carry it on. Now I am in the same situation he faced 40odd years ago. Iʼve got a good record but the past is the past. The future now lies with a new manager who will get all the support he needs. This is not the end of Manchester United as far as winning titles is concerned. I donʼt see any reason why we canʼt continue this success.”
Sir Alex wisely advised going for an experienced manager, unlike, after the phenomenal Busby era, the United board chose relatively inexperienced coaches, Wilf McGuinness and Frank OʼFarrell who had managed Leicester City but was totally unprepared for the pressure of the hottest seat in world football. Sir Alex explained, “Manchester United isnʼt a job for a young man, you need something solid behind you. Iʼm sure David Moyes has the character to succeed here. Heʼs got good experience behind him, just the same as I had when I came down from Aberdeen. My eight and a half years there involved some big challenges, but we got through it because we had good people in place and we worked hard. If I hadnʼt had that experience from Aberdeen I donʼt know if Iʼd have done as well here. David has built teams at Everton, he has overcome the clubʼs financial limitations to put out sides of great character, capable of great performances. When you think what he inherited, remembering that when Walter Smith was there Everton used to sell their best players every season, that took some doing.”
Sir Alexʼs legacy is well documented and he leaves Moyes with a title – winning squad, a 76,000 – seater stadium, one of the best youth set – ups in the world and a state – of – the – art training facility, but that doesnʼt make it easy for Moyes, far from it, much harder in many respects. Sir Alex recognises the fact, “Iʼve always respected and admired the work David has done at Everton. Back in 1999 I interviewed him for the job and Iʼve watched his progress. He has a work ethic about him and heʼs a serious football man. These are the qualities heʼs going to need. Heʼs got perseverance about him. Eleven years without any tremendous financial backing but heʼs persevered with it and created some decent Everton teams. Heʼs had to deal with a lot of financial constraints yet his teams have always been successful. They are the qualities heʼs going to need at our club. The one thing you have to do is definitely sacrifice and perseverance – itʼs not always a golden path of riches. You have hard days and difficult days, especially with the losses.”
So can Sir Alex let go? He says ʼyesʼ, but it wonʼt be as easy as even he thinks. Yet, he is adamant he has learned from the post Busby failings, “Iʼm finished, done, I made the break last week. Itʼs not an issue for me, Iʼll just get on with the next stage of my life. It is important to remain active, but health permitting Iʼve got plenty of things lined up to be doing. Iʼd like to go and watch Boca Juniors play River Plate. Thatʼs one game Iʼve always wanted to go and see. Now Iʼve got a bit of time I fancy taking in the Melbourne Cup and the Kentucky Derby at some point too. Thereʼs a lot of things you can do, as long as you keep your health. The ambassador role at United takes up 20 days a year, so I should have plenty of time.”
Sir Alex is no doubt whatsoever that he is leaving the club in better shape than when he started, unarguably better than when Busby himself left the dugout. He argues, “Football is a harsher environment these days, just look at the number of sackings, with Mancini being probably the biggest example. The owners are not English anymore, they are American, Russian, Middle Eastern, and therefore remote to an extent. Itʼs a different culture. Agents are another big change since I came into the game, and Iʼm not sure for the better. I used to talk to parents, that was part of the job if you had identified a promising youngster. I donʼt even know any parents anymore. I just deal with agents all the time.”
He leaves without looking back with any regrets, not even winding up Kevin Keegan! He said, “I have always thought that mind games and my supposed part in them were completely overrated. Sometimes Iʼve said provocative things or tried to get my point of view across in advance of a game, because you try to get an edge wherever you can, but the Kevin Keegan incident was a complete accident. I was angry with the Leeds players because Howard Wilkinson was under pressure, and heʼs a mate of mine. I just made the point that Leeds should be playing as well as they played at Old Trafford all the time. I wasnʼt thinking of Newcastle at all.”
Sir Alex advised his successor to keep on top of referees, as he had done so successfully over the years, as he explained, “Thatʼs been a part of it too, the pressure you try to put on referees, but I save mind games for opponents.”
Reflecting on the next stage of the Manchester rivalry, Sir Alex reflected the stability David Moyes would inherit, in contrast to the apparent chaos down the road. “What happens at Man City wonʼt have any bearing on David. Heʼs got the structure here and heʼs got the experience. Heʼs had to handle things at Everton that are more difficult probably. I donʼt think that matters. I think the enormity of the club will be the most difficult aspect, he will soon realise that anyway. The global brand and number of sponsors we have, he has to fit into that. I donʼt think thatʼs an issue though and the most important thing is the team. Heʼs got a good squad of players and he will want to add to that. He will have his own ideas and thatʼs good. He will be fine.”
Sir Alex added: “People used to say to me ʼdo you think this one will be a manager or manage Unitedʼ about players who are not even in the job now. Football is that kind of industry. When youʼre assessing the job here you have to get somebody who has the longevity and the experience over a long time to manage this club. That is why David was above everyone else. I hope he can survive long term. Itʼs the one club he could do that at. Weʼve shown great loyalty to our managers.”
Evertonʼs American keeper Tim Howard worked with Moyes for seven years and knows that Sir Alexʼs infamous ʼhairdryerʼ temper can be replicated by his successor. Howard gave an insight to Moyes work at Goodison Park, in work each and every day and “not taking any short cuts”. Howard added, “He does not allow players to rest or slacken off. Look at a player like me, selected for damn near every game, so I think he has the utmost trust in me. But I can tell you with my hand on my heart that in training, when the goalkeepers get called over to work with the rest of the first team, I feel a bit of nerves. You might think itʼs only the training ground, but if I throw one in, itʼs not as if he looks the other way, he gives me a hammering from the touchline. After seven years youʼd think a guy like me, who he trusts would get a break, but no, he is still on at you. Thatʼs his ethos,