He may have frustrated many people with his constant pointing at his watch but, now Sir Alex Ferguson has called time on his managerial career, it is clear just how much he will be missed.
When Ferguson first walked through the doors at Old Trafford in 1986, few people would have expected him to go on and become the most successful manager in British football history...but he did just that!
Manchester United fans love their manager and most neutrals can appreciate the world class job he has done at Old Trafford. What he has done for the club will never be forgotten. The trophy cabinet at Old Trafford must be close to bursting by now and that is testament to the hard-work and enthusiasm of Ferguson.
Thirteen is often considered an unlucky number and in a way it is for the fans as Ferguson’s 13th Premier League title spells the end of his achievement-filled time in charge.
The famous treble of 1999 (Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup) is just one of many highlights during his time in charge of the club. Two goals in injury-time saw Ferguson’s men lift the Champions League at the expense of Bayern Munich...Ferguson just never knew when to give up. His passion never seemed to fade – year after year Ferguson returned to the dugout to win trophies and still looked as eager for the next one.
But success wasn’t instant for the Manchester United icon. Unlike many clubs today, the Scot was given plenty time to prove himself and it paid off. Not only has he continually won trophies for the club, but Ferguson has also managed some of the best players of the Premier League era. The likes of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Peter Schmeichel have Ferguson to thank for making them the top players they went on to become.
Ferguson has been key to arguably the best period in the club’s history and I for one am surprised to see him retiring. The timing seems a bit bizarre and it certainly came as a bolt out of the blue to many football fanatics. But after winning the title by such a clear margin and with games to spare is maybe the perfect high to end on.
Ferguson’s departure will leave a big hole in the dugout next season but nobody can begrudge him from wanting to retire after all he has given to the game. All the comments that people have been making today show just how much he is respected by managers, players, pundits and fans across the world.
So after having arguably the best manager in the world at the helm for so long, how do a club as steeped in history such as Manchester United even go about replacing him?
A key factor will be stability and longevity. Whilst Jose Mourinho’s name has been mentioned on a number of occasions, I don’t believe he would stick around long enough to be the right man for the job.
David Moyes looks to be the favourite and has done superbly on limited resources at Everton...but is that enough to prepare someone for filling the biggest shoes in football? If he does indeed get the job, he could be a big success providing he is given the same time to develop which I am sure he would.
I’d also like to see the likes of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ryan Giggs on the coaching staff as their passion for the club would be key in helping the huge transitional step forward.
Although a club like Manchester United continually win trophies, if the new man doesn’t bring instant success it is important for the club and fans alike to stay firmly behind the manager. Stability and longevity are vital and, when someone is replacing an icon such as Ferguson, it is never going to be easy.
Manchester United are likely to do right by the new man and who knows, if things get desperate, the club can always call on Ferguson for help...after all he’ll only be upstairs!
As a director and ambassador of the club, Ferguson is likely to be on hand to offer advice when needed next season and beyond. But the new manager needs time to develop and instil his own ideas on the club over time. As tempting as it will be for many, we need to not constantly compare the new manager to Ferguson. The new manager must be allowed to be his own man as he takes the highly-respected club forward.
Fans, including myself, berate Manchester United and Ferguson at times, often merely through frustration, as the club make things so difficult for us. It’s at times like today we can take a step back and reflect on the amazing job Ferguson has done and just how much the game will miss him.
The final say....
Even though Ferguson put us on the wrong end of some embarrassing defeats, not to mention taking Robin Van Persie from us, I still have the utmost respect for such a quality man. The Premier League is unlikely to see another man like him and his success should be celebrated! Sir Alex Ferguson = Legend!
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