Glory, Glory Man Utd. Harry Harris
nothing can replace being a player, watching Manchester United every game is like being in paradise. What a fantastic club this is and football in England is the best without a doubt; fast, furious, entertaining and skilful. It is a shame that we have struggled a little bit internationally, but Manchester United are the premier club in England, if not the world, and it is just brilliant, exciting.
As for Sir Alexʼs retirement. Well Iʼve known for about three or four years that he would be stepping down and heʼs changed his mind a couple of times. Heʼs such a fantastic manager. He could go on forever, thatʼs the way he is. But maybe with a bit of ill health, on top of not seeing the family, heʼs thought this is the time to do it. He deserves a break. Heʼs got the hip operation and thereʼs just so much pressure on the position. Itʼs very tough. He just loves the game, and people appreciate that.
David Moyes is a great appointment. Perhaps people will be saying, ʼthank God that United are not going to be a threat any moreʼ. But thatʼs a major mistake that they are making. Nothing will change from the philosophy, from Alex Fergusonʼs philosophy and Matt Busbyʼs philosophy. There will be a great future at United, and the football at Old Trafford will remain the same. It has always been a philosophy to attack; never be boring, never be dull. Sir Alex has always stressed that, and the club has never been better than it is now.
I was just a youngster when United won the title in 1955 – 56 and won my first League winnerʼs medal the following season playing with Duncan Edwards. Then there was the George Best, Denis Law era, a magical period and with Matt Busbyʼs philosophy to be the best that we can be, he wasnʼt interested in second best. He wanted to win the League, as that was the only way to qualify for the European Cup, and he wanted to be the best team in Europe, if not the world.
To win 20 League titles is something special, and I am delighted to have contributed to a book that looks at all 20 titles and in particular the contribution of all the players and managers associated with this fantastic football club.
Sir Bobby Charlton
Sir Bobby Charlton
Born: 11 October 1937, Ashington, Northumberland
HONOURS
INTERNATIONAL:
World Cup Winner – 1966
106 caps, record 49 goals
CLUB HONOURS:
Football League First Division winner:
1956 – 57, 1964 – 65, 1966 – 67
FA Cup winner – 1962 – 63
European Cup winner – 1967 – 68
Charity Shield winner – 1956, 1957, 1965, 1967
European Player of the Year – 1966 (runner – up – 1967, 1968)
FWA Footballer of the Year – 1966
PFA Merit Award (1974)
BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award – 2008
UEFA Presidentʼs Award – 2009
Introduction
“He is the greatest coach of all time, especially because of all the difficulties he overcame at the start of his career with Manchester and for remaining for so many years on the same bench. Itʼs really incredible. I normally think that after four or five years at the most a coach should move, so to think that he stayed on the same bench for 26 years is incredible. That takes psychological, technical and humane capacity. I had a special relationship with him.”
FABIO CAPELLO
20|13 IS A TRIBUTE to one of British footballʼs most successful and glittering managerial careers. Sir Alex Ferguson went out on a high with his 13th Premier League trophy, a record that will never be equalled. 20 Championships in total for Manchester United, 13 for Sir Alex, 38 trophies at Old Trafford including two Champions League trophies, 49 trophies in all with St. Mirren, Aberdeen and United, all of which mark him out as the most successful managerial career in British football. All ending with this final triumph in the year 2013 – perfect symmetry.
This book is a tribute to the enormous success Sir Alex has brought to the club, and his determination to overhaul Liverpoolʼs record of domestic championships. While the Champions League meant so much to Sir Alex, and he would accept that he has under achieved in bringing only two Champions League trophies to the club, he is immensely proud of the fact that the Premier League haul of 13 titles puts Manchester United firmly at the pinnacle of English football as undisputed champion of champions.
Sir Alex retired after more than 26 years in charge of the club describing his epic reign as an ʼhonour and a privilegeʼ. He becomes a director and ambassador after he formally retired after Unitedʼs match with West Bromwich Albion on May 18 – his l,500th in charge.
No one can surpass his haul of 13 Premier League title, but if he leaves with one major regret it is that he could not match Bob Paisleyʼs record of three European Cups with Liverpool. Having secured Champions League wins in 1999 and 2008, Sir Alex was unable to overhaul that particular record but somehow kept his impossible pledge to end Liverpoolʼs dominance in domestically by transforming the total League Championships won from 18 – 7 in Liverpoolʼs favour to 20-18 in Unitedʼs.
As he left the dug out for the last time, a piece of history left with him. Sir Alex was the last of the old-fashioned British managers who ruled the club from top to bottom. He arrived at the training ground by 7.15am everyday over those 26 years to oversee his undisputed territory as The Manager in charge of every inch of anything to do with the playing side of Manchester United. The day he announced his resignation sent shock waves throughout the footballing world, prompting statements from the Prime Minister, and politicians eager to push him forward for a peerage.
Prime Minister David Cameron joked that Sir Alex will have to provide a consultancy service to the club he follows, Aston Villa, as they battled relegation. In a speech opening debate in the Commons following the Queenʼs address, the PM suggested that even Conservative MPs would be recognising the achievements of Sir Alex – a staunch Labour supporter. He said: “It is the day to perhaps sing the praises of Sir Alex Ferguson, a remarkable man in British football who has had an extraordinary, successful career. I am sure that all members, even on the blue team, will want to pay tribute to this member of the red team. Perhaps he could now provide some consultancy services for Aston Villa.”
Labour leader Ed Miliband told MPs that Sir Alex was “the most successful football manager the world has ever seen... phenomenally talented at his job.” Adding, “I wonʼt let this day pass without paying tribute to the most successful football manager this world has ever seen – a great supporter of the reds, you might call him. Sir Alex Ferguson, phenomenally talented at his job, winner of 13 championships – (he) can teach us all about hard work and dedication.”
Outgoing Manchester United Chief Executive David Gill described his time working with Sir Alex as the ʼgreatest experienceʼ of his working life and that the club had been planning for his imminent retirement, “Iʼve had the tremendous pleasure of working very closely with Alex for 16 unforgettable years – through the treble, the double, countless trophy wins and numerous signings. We knew that his retirement would come one day and we both have been planning for it by ensuring the quality of the squad and club structures are in first – class condition. Alexʼs vision, energy and ability have built teams – both on and off the pitch – that his successor can count on as among the best and most loyal in world sport.ʼ
Joel Glazer, joint chairman of the Manchester United board with brother Avie, highlighted the 2008 Champions League final penalty shootout success over Chelsea, “Alex has proven time and time again what a fantastic manager he is but heʼs also a wonderful person. His determination to succeed and dedication to the club have been truly remarkable. I will always cherish the wonderful memories he has given us,