End of an era - Sir Alex steps down as manager of UTD

[scottycelt]

I don't think Ferguson's record as the greatest ever manager of a club football side can be doubted and only a fool would find it hard not to admire what he achieved with a team that had spectacularly under-performed prior to his appointment. Without doubt, he has surpassed both Shankley, Paisley and Clough combined and I would suggest was fortunate to produce a side that exploited the rise in quality of the game that stemmed from the EPL being created. Likewise, Liverpool's fall from form at the same point in the early 1990's is reason why yhe Merseyside club will never match Man Utd. Odd that no one has really pointed out that Ferguson's ahcievement in Europe is vastly more impressive than any other English club and at a time when the competition became of an increasingly high standard. There is no chance of a team like Malmo reaching the final of such a competition these days.

However, in many respects I think he won't be missed. The constant harranging of officials at the touchline and the notion of "Fergie-time" are elements of the modern game which are not welcome. Man Utd have become all-conquering under Sir Alex and perhaps football is a little more boring now that provincial clubs stand little chance of making a lasting impact in the EPL. His support of his players when they have done wrong and reluctance to accept refereeing decisions which have gone against his team are a sad reflection of the way the sport has evolved and like Arsene Wenger who has also radicalised the football in this country, i think this has come at a cost.

I completely agree with all of that. However, I cannot think of any of the truly great football managers who ever came across as Mr Nice Guy. Ferguson learned much of his trade from the great Celtic manager Jock Stein who once had a right go at myself in public over something I said to him about the high price of tickets for European matches. I didn't make the same mistake again. As characters my favourites will always be Shankly and Clough, who both rarely failed to make me chuckle.

Still, I suppose football coaches are paid to win matches, not to make me chuckle ...

[LeMartinPecheur]

Not wishing to take anything away from Ferguson's achievements on - or at least very near - the pitch but I have wondered for years how much of MU's success was down to extremely canny financial management, including merchandising of rapidly-changing club kit all across the known universe

[Beef Oven]

and who was with him?..........

Lyudmila, and they were both laughing at me..........

[teamsaint]

Lyudmila, and they were both laughing at me..........

it's SO unfair..yeah yeah.....as SAF might have said !

[Beef Oven]

it's SO unfair..yeah yeah.....as SAF might have said !

I don't care....

Phew, we got to the end of that without embarrassing ourselves too much

[teamsaint]

I don't care....

Phew, we got to the end of that without embarrassing ourselves too much

you reckon?

Anyway, at least Moyesey will be a bit chirpier than fergie.
perhaps he will talk to the BBC !!

[Beef Oven]

you reckon?

Anyway, at least Moyesey will be a bit chirpier than fergie.
perhaps he will talk to the BBC !!

Yep, I'm happy we got the right sort of bloke.

[Mr Pee]

http://www.artsjournal.com/slippeddisc/2013/05/sir-alex-ferguson-and-the-symphony-orchestra.html

[Beef Oven]

http://www.artsjournal.com/slippeddi...orchestra.html

Association football is more sophisticated than classical music and orchestras, but it's a good analogy all the same

[vinteuil]

... it is such a pity that Historically Informed Performance Practice gets such inadequate coverage in the current Association Football world.

I mean - proper heavy nailed boots. Pig's bladder for a ball. Jumpers for goalposts...

[amateur51]

... it is such a pity that Historically Informed Performance Practice gets such inadequate coverage in the current Association Football world.

I mean - proper heavy nailed boots. Pig's bladder for a ball. Jumpers for goalposts...

When is Mme V returning to restore meaning to your otherwise monkish existence, vints?