On November 6, 1986, the legacy of one, Sir Alex Ferguson, began.
Relatively unknown, Sir Alex Ferguson was given the tumultuous task of taking the great Manchester United Football Club back to glory, previously experienced under Matt Busby in the late 60s. With Liverpool FC dominating the Football League First Division in the 80s, the onus was on Alex Ferguson to bring Manchester United some much-needed glory. Ferguson's reign had begun, and what a reign it has been.
Sir Alex Ferguson has quite simply, dominated English Football since his arrival on the scene. In all aspects, he has become an icon for managers, fans, players, colleagues as well as general professionals. He is a perfect role model for young, upcoming managers.
He nurtures players almost to the point where he becomes their second father. He respects and trusts his staff like no other. He gives the fans what they want. He gives the owners what they want. Ultimately however, he has given football a truly talented individual in the form of himself.
Ferguson has never been a suspect of greed, although some would say his desire to keep winning and the number of trophies he has won already, is much too greedy. Given the opportunity of managing great clubs like Real Madrid, AC Milan, FC Barcelona and the like has never deterred him from being loyal to the club he has built. Rumors of ridiculous amounts of wages and contracts to be offered to him, if he were to opt for the often vacant, England Manager, position did not convince him.
Manchester United had a past history of European success and domestic success under Matt Busby. This article does not take away anything from what Matt Busby has done for Manchester United, both prior and after the Munich crash. Matt Busby is arguably the greatest manager ever to grace the history of the game. However in terms of modern day football, Sir Alex Ferguson is without a doubt, the greatest manager.
As of 10 September 2011, Sir Alex Ferguson stats as Manchester United manager:
1. 1,397 Games
2. 829 Wins
3. 2,556 Goals
4. 45 Trophies; 15 League wins, 14 Domestic Cups, eight Charity (Community) Shields, two UEFA Champions League Cups, two Cup Winners' Cups, two Super Cups, one Intercontinental Cup and one FIFA World Club Cup.
Sir Alex Ferguson knocked Liverpool off their perch, after leading Manchester United to their 19th league title in the 2010/2011 English Premier League Season. Manchester United are officially the most successful team in England as a result of the work performed by Sir Alex Ferguson.
Sir Alex Ferguson has created teams with flair, extravagance, pure talent, that have always dominated English football since he became manager. For one to manage a club for 26 years, still show the same passion and love he had for the game since that first day, he can only be admired.
In today's footballing world, managers at clubs come and go. The lack of patience at clubs like Chelsea, Inter Milan, Manchester City, Real Madrid have affected their reputations as well as their games. It has affected their fans, their footballing style and has ruined the world of football to some extent.
Sir Alex Ferguson has epitomised the role of a football manager. He is admired by his peers. He is admired by his colleagues. He is adored by his fans. He is respected by his players. He is Manchester United. Barcelona may have the talented Messi as their icon, Real Madrid have Cristiano Ronaldo. Liverpool have Steven Gerrard. Manchester United, however, have Sir Alex Ferguson.
You cannot measure how much Sir Alex Ferguson has done for Manchester United and for football. He is the last of the loyal kind left in football. Football clubs tend to reflect the philosophy of their managers.
For example, Mourinho's flamboyancy is reflected in his star player Cristiano Ronaldo as well as the way Real Madrid play. Barcelona's patient, perfect and attractive football can simply be seen in Guardiola's fashionable and neat appearance when he stands on the touchline. For AC Milan, the number of players coming in and out of the club is almost something similar to what Silvio Berlusconi (not the manager, but might as well be) has been accused of in his personal life.
Sir Alex Ferguson's team reflect his personality. Manchester United is a club built on principles, history, tradition and loyalty. He has brought about some of the best players in the world through his principles, through his nature and the way that he "fathers" players.
Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo are just a few of the greats that he has created. There is no other manager in the world who can claim to have created footballers of such brilliance.
He has an eye for talent. He has the personality to nurture the raw talent into something spectacular and exciting. Josep Guardiola recently mentioned that Sir Alex Ferguson is a true icon. Someone he learns from everyday. Someone he admires and respects. What's there not to admire?
He has had his fair share of controversies, especially surrounding players. Reports of fallouts with David Beckham, Jaap Stam, Roy Keane, Dwight Yorke just to name a few, have often led to the demise of those players. Players have come and gone. Coaches have come and gone. Assistant managers have come and gone. Even the owners have changed during his reign. Yet one thing has remained, Sir Alex Ferguson.
An article such as this cannot put into context, the greatness of Sir Alex Ferguson. He has simply taken Manchester United to heights never imagined by fans before his reign. He has created teams over 26 years that have won numerous times, won numerous trophies and have played in some of the most exciting matches known to modern day football fans. His teams have won with swagger, style, sophistication and character. His players demonstrate his qualities in the way they play, in their professional attitude and in their desire to win.
His character, his personality, his loyalty, his principles are what define Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson defines Manchester United, and Manchester United defines Sir Alex Ferguson.
No Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal or Manchester City fan can ever deny the greatness of Sir Alex Ferguson. Sir Alex Ferguson has built Manchester United into a footballing giant that few teams can now compete with.
Thank you Sir Alex Ferguson. We look forward to your continuing brilliance and can only sit back and admire as Manchester United wind back the glory of past seasons.
Read more Manchester United news on BleacherReport.com
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