How Will History Tell One of Football's Greatest Fairytales?
There is a sign often held at Manchester United's Old Trafford ground that reads: Alex Ferguson, the impossible dream. And in many ways it is. 13 league titles, 2 Champions League's 5 FA cups 4 League cups and sheer global dominance, certainly not entirely created by one man, but definitely impossible without him. It's simply unthinkable we'll see another manager in charge of one club for 28 years again, then alone one as significant as United. The stakes are too high now, too much money involved, too many non "Football people" in positions of power within the game. But what will time make of Ferguson? No dought Brian Clough's two European cups at Nottingham Forrest are fondly remembered, but as each year passes, "Cloughy" becomes more and more one of football great characters and less and less one of its great managers. So what of Ferguson? What of his tale from humble beginnings in Glasgow and an decent playing career to the ascension as quite possibly, and in a lot of opinions undoubtedly the greatest manager in the history of the sport?
In the summer of 2011 I stepped off a plane and Toronto's Pearson airport. Their i was to be greeted by my cousin Jonathon who hails from a few hours down the road in London, Ontario. I'd only met Jon on one previous occasion, when i was young, but i didnt need to worry about recognising him. He's visited the UK before, and is a pretty big football fan, so maybe it shouldnt have surprised me when i walked down those stairs at the arrivals area and saw him, in a United shirt. My initial reaction was "And he's wearing a United shirt, for god sakes you cant get away from them". That's what United are, thats what Ferguson has helped make them. When people in North America decide to watch football almost all they know is Manchester United. It could be argued its not their fault, the big US tv stations dont want to show average games involving mid-table teams, so they go and get the teams that are winning the most, and clearly in the Premier League era, that's United. But why was my reaction one of such disgust? Is it because im a Man City fan? Yes. But looking away from that i could easily imagine a Sunderland, or Fulham fan being equally upset at the sight of it, United are Marmite you either love or hate them, and do so with a passion. Is it all jealousy? A great deal of it will be, but there are genuine reasons to dislike Fergusons club. The term "Fergie time", the apparent unfair amount of stoppage time United get at the end of game they are either losing or drawing, is a stick people will always use to hit them. Eric Cantona flying into the crowd to "Kung-Fu kick" a Wimbledon fan, the referee surrounding, the hypocritical complaints about other teams, that Roy Keane tackle on Alfie Haaland, David Beckham and in so many more ways Cristiano Ronaldo are all things people despise about Manchester United. People loath Alex Ferguson and his team, and it is that im worried about. The man already has a statue outside Old Trafford and a stand named after him, an all time great in many ways we're lucky to have been around to appreciate but will the hatred blind us? I fear if i have Children and they ask me who Alex Ferguson was, there will be a great deal of swear words said before i can bring myself to talk of his greatness. We are a generation that will carry the Ferguson story forward so what will it be? Greatest Manager to ever draw breath, unrepeatably good, envied and respected by all, or arrogant, hypocritical, cheating scum? Such extreme's seem unnecessary but they are there. Manchester City will never forget being told they'd not win the league during Alex's "Lifetime" but can they accept it and show him the respect his legacy deserves, should they have too?
The timing of this decision is in so many ways perfect, having just wrestled the title back from City, Ferguson can safely say he has beaten everyone that has ever beaten him. Wenger, Mourinho, Mancini, Guardio- oh, well ok everyone in the Premier League anyway. United are the champions, theyve got probably they're best squad since Ronaldo left, a fantastic young player in Wilfred Zaha to come next season, and the division's best goalscorer Robin Van Persie signed most likely until the end of his usefulness. Replacements? It's a tough one. Mourinho would walk in the door without a care in the world in regard's to filling the void, you must feel Ferguson's decision to retire now was somewhat influenced by the fact both the special one and Everton's David Moyes may well be available this summer, and after some thought, i think the scot is the best choice. Mourinho's track record is incredible, but he seemingly always finds a way to leave people unhappy despite success, and equally big clubs in Inter and Madrid, and seems to always leave around the three four year mark. I dont think United are looking to play the field with the manager's position after a 28 year marriage to Ferguson, and Moyes Sir Alex esque abillity to get more out of squads most people dont be leave capable, aswell as his long tenure at Goodison may tip him for the job. In any event, its a huge job to take on, i just wonder if 30 years from now people can still remember the staggering sporting achievement that the Feguson era was, or will it be in some ways lost, to countless tales of woe and envy? We will see.
In the summer of 2011 I stepped off a plane and Toronto's Pearson airport. Their i was to be greeted by my cousin Jonathon who hails from a few hours down the road in London, Ontario. I'd only met Jon on one previous occasion, when i was young, but i didnt need to worry about recognising him. He's visited the UK before, and is a pretty big football fan, so maybe it shouldnt have surprised me when i walked down those stairs at the arrivals area and saw him, in a United shirt. My initial reaction was "And he's wearing a United shirt, for god sakes you cant get away from them". That's what United are, thats what Ferguson has helped make them. When people in North America decide to watch football almost all they know is Manchester United. It could be argued its not their fault, the big US tv stations dont want to show average games involving mid-table teams, so they go and get the teams that are winning the most, and clearly in the Premier League era, that's United. But why was my reaction one of such disgust? Is it because im a Man City fan? Yes. But looking away from that i could easily imagine a Sunderland, or Fulham fan being equally upset at the sight of it, United are Marmite you either love or hate them, and do so with a passion. Is it all jealousy? A great deal of it will be, but there are genuine reasons to dislike Fergusons club. The term "Fergie time", the apparent unfair amount of stoppage time United get at the end of game they are either losing or drawing, is a stick people will always use to hit them. Eric Cantona flying into the crowd to "Kung-Fu kick" a Wimbledon fan, the referee surrounding, the hypocritical complaints about other teams, that Roy Keane tackle on Alfie Haaland, David Beckham and in so many more ways Cristiano Ronaldo are all things people despise about Manchester United. People loath Alex Ferguson and his team, and it is that im worried about. The man already has a statue outside Old Trafford and a stand named after him, an all time great in many ways we're lucky to have been around to appreciate but will the hatred blind us? I fear if i have Children and they ask me who Alex Ferguson was, there will be a great deal of swear words said before i can bring myself to talk of his greatness. We are a generation that will carry the Ferguson story forward so what will it be? Greatest Manager to ever draw breath, unrepeatably good, envied and respected by all, or arrogant, hypocritical, cheating scum? Such extreme's seem unnecessary but they are there. Manchester City will never forget being told they'd not win the league during Alex's "Lifetime" but can they accept it and show him the respect his legacy deserves, should they have too?
The timing of this decision is in so many ways perfect, having just wrestled the title back from City, Ferguson can safely say he has beaten everyone that has ever beaten him. Wenger, Mourinho, Mancini, Guardio- oh, well ok everyone in the Premier League anyway. United are the champions, theyve got probably they're best squad since Ronaldo left, a fantastic young player in Wilfred Zaha to come next season, and the division's best goalscorer Robin Van Persie signed most likely until the end of his usefulness. Replacements? It's a tough one. Mourinho would walk in the door without a care in the world in regard's to filling the void, you must feel Ferguson's decision to retire now was somewhat influenced by the fact both the special one and Everton's David Moyes may well be available this summer, and after some thought, i think the scot is the best choice. Mourinho's track record is incredible, but he seemingly always finds a way to leave people unhappy despite success, and equally big clubs in Inter and Madrid, and seems to always leave around the three four year mark. I dont think United are looking to play the field with the manager's position after a 28 year marriage to Ferguson, and Moyes Sir Alex esque abillity to get more out of squads most people dont be leave capable, aswell as his long tenure at Goodison may tip him for the job. In any event, its a huge job to take on, i just wonder if 30 years from now people can still remember the staggering sporting achievement that the Feguson era was, or will it be in some ways lost, to countless tales of woe and envy? We will see.
