Читать книгу Sir Alex Ferguson, G.O.A.T. - Harry Harris - Страница 5

By the Right Honourable Tony Banks

The day I hear the chant of ʼStand up if you hate Chelseaʼ is the day I know my club will have cracked it. In football, as in politics, jealousy is a rampant force. It stops people analysing objectively why they are failing whilst others succeed. Alex Ferguson has become one of footballʼs most successful managers ever and he certainly takes some stick for it. Of course, Manchester United were a world-renowned club when he took over but such legacies usually make it more rather than less difficult to succeed. Expectation runs at absurdly high levels and fans are impatient. It was a tribute to Alexʼs vision and the United boardʼs faith that when things were really difficult at the beginning both sides stuck it out. The subsequent rewards proved just how right both were.

Manchester United have become the premier league club against which all others judge themselves, and the great majority are found wanting. Never slow to enter the transfer market at the top end, Alex Ferguson has also been astute enough to continue developing the clubʼs youth policy. As a result United are now the mainstay of the England team, and both sides rely on Alexʼs ability to continue breeding success.

As you may guess, I think Alex Ferguson is the best but my admiration for his management skills is equalled by my respect for his politics. In a game where greed and selfishness are commonplace Alex has remained true to his roots. Success has doubtless brought him wealth and great fame but he has spurned the flashiness adopted by some of his contemporaries which can turn the heads of young players and ruin them both on and off the pitch. No wonder the young players at United have been able to fulfil their true soccer potential. They have had a great role model.

Alex Ferguson will no doubt go on to more footballing triumphs, and when the fans are standing up, claiming to hate Man United, ironically they are paying Alex and his club their greatest tribute.