Читать книгу Glory, Glory Man Utd - Harry Harris - Страница 7

“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, like that magical night in Moscow.”

Sir Alex was famed for his infamous ʼhairdryer treatmentʼ. Notably in February 2003 when he kicked a boot in the changing room which hit David Beckham on the forehead. Beckhamsʼ visible wound created a public fallout and the then England captain left the club months later. Yet, Beckham was full of praise for Sir Alex illustrating the respect for his former boss, as he reacted, “Iʼve just seen the news on Sir Alex. As I have said many times before the boss wasnʼt just the greatest and best manager I ever played under he was also a father figure to me from the moment I arrived at the club at the age of 11 until the day I left. Without him I would never have achieved what I have done in my career. He understood how important it was to play for your country and he knew how much it meant to me. After 1998 [when he was sent off in the World Cup] without the manager I would have found it virtually impossible to cope with the attention I was getting on and off the field and for this I will always be grateful to him for his support and protection. I am truly honoured to have been guided by the greatest manager in football and to have had the career that I had under him. Thank you, boss, and enjoy the rest!”

On Twitter, Rio Ferdinand commented, ʼThe bosses work ethic, his desire to win + to make us better players were unrivalled. Thanks boss.ʼ Meanwhile FA chairman David Bernstein recognised Sir Alexʼs “remarkable” contribution to the game. He said: “Sir Alex Fergusonʼs achievements are truly remarkable – he is genuinely one of the greatest managers of all time and certainly of the modern era. His contribution to English football has been outstanding in every regard and, in the FAʼs 150th year, it is something that should be celebrated. On behalf of the FA Iʼd like to wish him a happy and healthy retirement.”

First – team coach Rene Meulensteen was told of Fergusonʼs plans on Wednesday morning and felt the news was not entirely unexpected. “(I found out) this morning when I came to the club. He called us into his office and he said what decision he took. Itʼs always been on the cards – thereʼs speculation every season. I think the manager kept his cards close to his chest. I think he felt the time was right now and he made a decision. Heʼs obviously a man who thinks very, very well so Iʼm sure heʼs taken a lot of thought into making this decision. I wish him well. Heʼs been fantastic for this club and I hope all the fans give whoeverʼs going to come in the same support that he gets.”

Former United defender Steve Bruce believes any successor to Ferguson will struggle to get close to emulating his record. The Hull manager said, “Heʼs going to be some act to follow. Itʼs impossible to copy somebody like him. He will treat the groundsman just as well as he will treat his star centre – forward. Heʼs got a fantastic humility about him, for all that heʼs achieved.”

The repercussions for United were felt much further afield than the United dressing room for present and past players, far greater than the club might even have imagined. The Board knew there would be a seismic shift in opinion about where the club would go without their talisman manager, but they couldnʼt have imagined the global intensity of media interest.

After giving emotional speeches to his players and staff at their Carrington training ground, the fall out really began... The decision seem to be strangely timed with rumours flying about in Manchester that a player had leaked information on the clubʼs golf day and at least one betting company announcing on the Monday that a number of large bets had been placed on David Moyes to succeed Sir Alex before the end of the season.

The previous weekend, in his programme notes for a match against Chelsea, Sir Alex had insisted, “I certainly donʼt have any plans at the moment to walk away from what I believe will be something special and worth being around to see. Itʼs always difficult in football to be absolutely sure of the future because the game has a habit of tripping you up, but I donʼt live in a fantasy world and believe we have every reason to feel confident about the future of Manchester United. My view stems not from the euphoria of winning back the title we lost last season, but on the way we did it and the make – up of our playing personnel.”

In the light of subsequent events, Fergusonʼs notes seem very curious indeed. As in a statement announcing the end of his managerial career he said: “The decision to retire is one that I have thought a great deal about and one that I have not taken lightly. It is the right time.”

David Meek helped write Sir Alexʼs autobiography and ghost – writes his Old Trafford programme notes. The 82 – yearold journalist is trusted by Sir Alex and been writing his programme notes for 26 years. Meek, a journalist I have known for many years, is conservative in his news gathering during his time as covering the fortunes of Manchester United with the Manchester Evening News, his sources impeccable inside Old Trafford. Meek added to the intrigue when he wondered what really went on behind the scenes after he penned the programme notes in which Sir Alex insisted he wanted to continue managing. Was he ʼnudgedʼ towards the exit? “I canʼt honestly say Iʼm aware of anything.” Meek replied, “We never hear anything from the Glazers but theyʼre in charge. There is the scenario that he was blissfully intending to carry on for another season, true to his programme notes, but then there was a top summit meeting and the suggestion was made (that he retired). I donʼt think it had to be made forcefully. If he felt the owners no longer had 100 per cent confidence in him, I donʼt think heʼd hesitate [to go].” When pushed if he thought that was realistic, he replied: “Well yeah... Iʼd love to know. Thatʼs the next chapter to the story. Did he go or was he pushed? I knew something was afoot when I rang him [on Tuesday] at his home and I said ʼshall I come in tomorrow morning?ʼ He said ʼno, I shall be too busy.ʼ Thatʼs all he said.”

Sir Alex reprimanded Meek for his comments on the Keys and Gray radio show. There was no updated column from Sir Alex in the programme for his final game at Old Trafford days later, instead his resignation quotes were reprinted as he wanted to save his thoughts until his address to the fans after his Farewell Game. The interview he gave Meek for his final home match programme was not used, and Meek changed his ʼstoryʼ on of Sir Alexʼs departure, saying on Radio 5 Liveʼs Sportsweek that the managerʼs Chelsea programme notes had been a ʼsmokescreenʼ. Meek said, “He sold us all a dummy. I didnʼt doubt for a moment he was kidding me.”

Well, was he or wasnʼt he? Only Sir Alex really knows. His son Darren, manager of Peterborough, made it clear that the United boss hadnʼt quit over ill health and would have coped with the hip operation, but didnʼt address the issue of stress. Having always cited his health as the primary factor in any decision to retire, the club confirmation only days before the announcement that Sir Alex, who had a heart pacemaker fitted in 2004, would undergo hip surgery in August which inevitably inspired acres of media coverage speculating about his future whether he would bring in David Moyes as his assistant for a year or whether he would finally retire.

It was also reported that two Premier League managers, who remained anonymous, suggested Sir Alex would have quit a year earlier had United not lost the Premier League title race to City. That though, was not confirmed by United but neither was it denied that he confided in wife Cath that he had to shelve plans to retire within hours of Cityʼs shock title triumph. Sir Alex comments that followed the final home game with Swansea did stand up the view he had no intent on going out unless it was as a winner.

Was it the stress or something connected to the mysterious nosebleed the year before as David Whelan had told me a year earlier? Former England manager Fabio Capello thought so. Capello, the then manager of the Russian national side, spoke to Sir Alex about it, “I called him and he told me that he decided this way because of excess stress. A few months ago he told me that he was going to stay on. The news of his retirement really surprised me. I called him and he told me that he decided this way because of excess stress. He told me that now heʼll go and travel a bit, have fun and see the world with his wife. He was 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–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.”

The ʼnoisy neighboursʼ absorbed the implications on the eve of their FA Cup final against Wigan at Wembley, hoping it would mean a permanent shift of power across Manchester. Roberto Mancini said: “It was a great honour to beat him at Old Trafford and I wish him good luck for his future. I donʼt think thereʼll be another manager like him. To win every trophy for 27 years is an incredible situation.” Mancini won the battle of Manchester a year earlier to win the Premier League that included the historic 6 – 1 win at Old Trafford in 2011. That mattered little, nor did winning the league, as his failure in the Champions League has put his position as manager tinkering on the brink, the speculation that the decision to axe him had already been taken even ahead of the Cup Final.

Even so, despite concentrating on the Cup Final and concerning himself with his own future at the time, Mancini remarked, “In Europe, there are other good managers. I donʼt know if you can say Sir Alex is the best ever but he is the best in the last 27 years. A top club, a big club like United, you can change the manager. Sir Alex built this team but it is a big club with a big history and I donʼt think it will change something.”

James Milner believed that Sir Alexʼs departure will have no bearing on Cityʼs determination to reclaim the League title, “I donʼt think that affects us really. We concentrate on our business over here and itʼs obviously big news but all we are concentrating on us the FA Cup final. Itʼs not going to be any more open than it would have been if he was there next year. Heʼs been an amazing manager for them over the years, his record is ridiculous, unreal, but we are concerned on our side. We are bitterly disappointed how the League went this year, the main thing is that we win a piece of silverware at the weekend, do that and take the momentum of winning a trophy into next season and have a good league campaign.ʼ

Former City captain Paul Lake felt this could prove a ʼpivotal momentʼ in their battle for supremacy. “I would suggest everyone will see it as a chance to establish themselves. We are planning for next season at the same time as what weʼre doing now. Yes, Sir Alex is going to pass that mantle over to somebody. They will have a fantastic squad of players enriched with success and that mindset – these guys are going to feel 10-feet tall whoever comes in. But weʼve also experienced that and now know what it takes. Weʼve got that experience under our belts. It could be a very pivotal moment in the power struggle in Manchester but nothing is taken for granted. Weʼve got to bring in different players and there are those that are going to be offloaded. We are building now to regain that title so it could be pivotal but whoever takes that role will still have the guidance and that person to steer them that is one of the greatest managers ever. The challenge is ours but it could be a great moment for us to really turn the screw.ʼ

Lake added, “Iʼve got the utmost respect for Sir Alex Ferguson. I had my testimonial back in 1997. We had no – one to play a game and one of my committee members was talking to Sir Alex and he said ʼwhy havenʼt you asked me?ʼ He said ʼwell, youʼre Unitedʼ to which Sir Alex said well, ask me the questionʼ. He did and he responded ʼof course I will play for Paul and I will make sure David Beckham is there, Paul Scholes is there, the Nevilles are thereʼ. That is the measure of the man. He is an incredible man as well as an amazing manager. As a City fan, though, obviously there was a little kind of feeling that, wow, this is a real opportunity for us. It is an exciting moment and Iʼve seen on Twitter, Facebook and all the social media that it is party time for City fans. There again, there is somebody with a lot of experience that is going to come in with Sir Alexʼs guidance but Iʼve got to say there was a big part of me that had a huge smile for most of the day. We know his reign has finally come to an end and whoever takes it on has got a huge responsibility – imagine our expectations times 10 or times 100. That person has to fill those shoes, fill that gap and carry on as Sir Alex left off so it is a great moment for us and I personally am really excited by the prospect.”

One of Fergusonʼs biggest rivals in the past 20 years, Arsene Wenger, called the United managerʼs reign “immaculate”. They ʼenjoyedʼ many duels over the years, most notably challenging head – to – head for the Premier League title in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Wenger recognised Sir Alex left huge boots to fill. Wenger said, “It is difficult to imagine English football without him, but itʼs now a reality and a fact.”

Wenger, who will become the longest – serving manager in the country after taking charge at the Gunners in 1996, commented, “I would just like to pay tribute to an unbelievable achievement and a fantastic career. Basically the achievement is immaculate, when you look at the whole structure and consistency of the achievement. It is, of course, something exceptional. It is difficult to imagine English football without him, but itʼs now a reality and a fact. Of course the next manager has to fill in and show he has the dimension to do that. It is a big task for the guy who comes in.”

David Moyes was another long – serving boss, but Wenger anticipated a tough task for the former Everton boss, “What you can say still is that Manchester United are commercially and financially one of the strongest two or three clubs in the world, and that is still a good basis to start when you come in because you know the players are there, the team is there, and the potential is there. They have developed very well and they are in a very, very strong position to deal with the problem they face. But of course itʼs a great void to fill for Manchester United, because the charisma and personality disappears suddenly in a club which has been dominated by it for such a long time. Itʼs not an easy task to replace a person like that.”

David Moyes declined to talk directly about Manchester United when first asked by the media, but he was never evasive, akin to the way Sir Alex handled the press. Asked whether he had considered turning down Unitedʼs approach, Moyes said: “I have to be honest and say no. I wasnʼt planning on leaving. My contract was running out but we were planning for pre-season. All weʼve ever done is keep planning. Iʼve got everything ready for next season and the chairman and everyone knows the route we need to take next season. This is a club competing to be in Europe.”

Everton have only finished outside the top half of the table in two of Moyesʼ 10 full seasons in charge and are sixth in the table with two games of the current campaign remaining. He was proud of the progress the club had made over the past decade. “Iʼm disappointed to be leaving such a great club. The club has been such a great part of my life,” he added.

Moyesʼ appointment was seen by Stoke boss Tony Pullis as a positive step for young British managers, “David Moyes has come from bottom to the top, and for him to have this chance is brilliant. Itʼs great for all young, aspiring managers, because it shows that young British managers are given a chance at the very top.” Moyes has yet to win a major trophy but United captain Nemanja Vidic expected the new boss can continue the clubʼs success. “Iʼm looking forward to working with David and I believe I will have the same success I had with Sir Alex. David and Sir Alex share some similarities – they are very passionate, they are both winners and you can see the way they approach the games and how they run things.”

Harry Redknapp, the relegated QPR boss, first praised him, “Sir Alex has had a massive influence on so many managers. Heʼs achieved so much. Davey is a great boy, a top manager. Itʼs good that a British coach has got the top job.” Then, Redknapp spoke out about his undue influence on officials. “A lot of officials would be in awe of him and afraid to upset him. There was such an aura about him because he is a winner. I never had any doubts about that. If there was a bit of time to be added they would make sure they got it right because they did not want to upset him. When Man Utd were losing, they had an average of four minutes and 37 seconds added time, compared with three minutes and 18 seconds when they were winning. Especially young referees, and even one or two of the older ones, were a little bit afraid to upset him.”

When Liverpool manager, Rafa Benitez, shared that view. He said: “We know what happens every time we go to Old Trafford and the United staff They are always going man to man with the referees, especially at half – time when they walk close to the referees and they are talking and talking.”

As for the decision to quit, Redknapp added, “I think we all knew it would come suddenly. I thought he would go on for a couple of years yet. He has won the Premier League and maybe feels it is a good time to go out and enjoy his life. Maybe he wants a bit more time to do stuff away from football. He has put great teams together. He has known the right time to let people go and never been afraid to make the big decisions. Whether it was Roy Keane, David Beckham or Jaap Stam, all the great players have come and gone. He knows the game inside out.”

Moyes has not won a major trophy, but Redknapp believed he was the right choice, “It is great for British coaches that Manchester United have picked someone who has come up through the lower divisions. It is good they have given the opportunity to David Moyes, I think he will be fantastic. It is a tough job. Moyes built a great team at Everton and Iʼm sure he will do a great job at Manchester United.”

Big Sam thought Moyes “the perfect candidate” anticipating an emotional atmosphere when he took the Hammers to Goodison Park for Moyesʼ final home game in charge. “I hope their crowd show their appreciation for him. You canʼt do anything but applaud him for what heʼs done in 11 years at Everton. Heʼll face the challenge head on. Itʼs one of the biggest jobs in club football.”

Meanwhile Sir Bobby Charlton was convinced the club made the right choice, “Heʼs maybe been a little bit in awe of everything that happens here – you canʼt help it when the club has become so big. The mere fact he thinks he can improve it is just fantastic.”

Of course there was a precedent at Old Trafford. In 1969 Sir Matt Busby retired but stayed on as general manager, with new boss Wilf McGuinness, promoted from First Team Coach, replaced a little over a year later. However Sir Bobby believed the club had learnt from that mistake. “Alex will help David Moyes. He wonʼt intrude, but he will help him. Like Alex, David has a work ethic and maybe thereʼs something the Scots know that we donʼt. Heʼs going to be quite happy. Heʼs a well – meaning lad. Heʼs very, very professional and I think he will be a big success at our club.”

Michael Carrick was “very excited” to be working with Moyes, “Iʼm very much looking forward to moving onto a new chapter with the club and personally in my career working under David. I think he has done an unbelievable job at Everton over a long period of time to keep them up there challenging for Europe. He hasnʼt had the money of the top four or five clubs to spend but he has always put a team out there that is challenging and Iʼve only heard good things about him from players that have played under him. Iʼm sure he is going to come here and have a successful time. Heʼs not going to have to change a great deal overnight because things have gone so well of late, but heʼs his own man and heʼs going to do his own things and we are all fully behind him as players.”

Carrick revealed how he and his team – mates were speechless when Ferguson told them of his decision, “our initial thoughts were we were really disappointed and quite gutted when the manager told us as a team. It was quite sad in the dressing room – that was the initial shock to it but, as time passes, you deal with it and move on. Heʼs arguably the best manager of all time so for him to be sitting in the same changing room telling us that itʼs his time to retire and giving us the reason, it was quite an emotional time and we were well aware of the importance of it. It was silent.

“What can you say after that? Everyone was digesting the news. It was well documented for a day or two in the media that was there was something coming, we werenʼt quite sure what. So when the boss pulled us together and told us, that was it. It was hard to take but we fully understand and appreciate everything he has done, not just for this football club but everything he has done for the world of football in the last 30 – 35 years.”

The United players wanted to give their retiring manager a suitable send – off from Old Trafford against Swansea, who had nothing to play for having already qualified for the Europa League having won the Capital One Cup. A full house of 76,000 had the privilege of the last chance to savour the most successful manager in British football history in charge at Old Trafford, and also to say farewell to a footballing legend as Paul Scholes announced his retirement for the second time just ahead of Sir Alexʼs big farewell. The outstanding England midfield star ended his career at the end of the 2010 – 11 season, but missed the game so much the 38 – year – old opting to resume his career in January 2012, so he signed a one – year deal and it was expected this would be his final, farewell season. His final game at Old Trafford couldnʼt have been much bigger, Sir Alexʼs emotional retirement, United presented with the Premier League trophy. Scholes contribution to Sir Alexʼs 13th title was limited to a handful of appearances as he suffered a knee injury in January.

The reclusive Scholes commented, “Playing football is all I have ever wanted to do, and to have had such a long and successful career at Manchester United, under the greatest manager of all time, has been an honour.” Sir Alex paid his own tribute, which made a change from everyone paying their tributes to him! He said: “Paul is a truly unbelievable player. He has always been fully committed to this club and it has been a real privilege to work with him for so many years. Paul will play at Old Trafford on Sunday against Swansea and will collect an unbelievable but well – deserved 11th Premier League medal.” Rio tweeted, “One of the best I played alongside also the most naturally gifted player too.”

Scholes was one of a vintage batch who graduated through the clubʼs youth system in 1992, alongside Beckham and Gary Neville, and made his debut in 1994. He is only the third United player to surpass 700 appearances, following Sir Bobby Charlton and Ryan Giggs. One of Franceʼs greatest ever legends Zinedine Zidane described Scholes as being “in a class of his own” while World Cup – winning Italian boss Marcelo Lippi said he was “one of the most important players for United under Sir Alex”.