As Manchester United look set to clinch another Premier League title and a little matter of a Champions League final looming we must ask the question: Is Sir Alex the Greatest Manager of all time?
When we think of great managers we think of Bill Shankly, Sir Matt Busby, Jock Stein andBrian Clough and other legends such as these. Legend is a term that should not be used loosely and when we think of these types Sir Alex comes to mind. This stubborn Scot is surely up there with the best. Wherever he goes he seems to bring the best out of his players. With a stern expression and chewing gum disappearing by the pack, Fergie doesn’t seem to be fazed with anything that he comes up against.
Sir Alex Ferguson has come a long way from being brought up in poverty stricken Glasgow next to the Govan shipyards. The General would admit himself that as a player he wasn’t by any means an Alan Shearer, although he did have a record of 170 goals in 317 games which is not a bad record for any striker.
But it was in management that Fergie was to find his true calling. This journey began in the summer of 1974. Since that summer Alex Ferguson has managed East Stirling, St Mirren, Aberdeen and Manchester United. Little did Sir Alex know that his venture into management would provide such a rewarding career.
Honours in the game are hard to come by and most managers would love to have just one trophy in their career. Sir Alex can boast 46 honours in the game so far which include 11 Premier League Titles, 3 Scottish League Titles, 5 FA Cups, 4 League Cups, 2 European Cups and 2 European Cup Winners Cup to name a few of these remarkable honours. Possibly the most fulfilling for Ferguson was winning the Cup Winners Cup with Aberdeen in 1983. To take a Scottish club to the heights of the game is something only the greats can reach as resources are limited and funds are low.
The times have changed but the game has remained the same since Alex started down this long and magnificent road . Over the years we have seen players come and go from Schmeichel to Van der sar, Stam to Vidic, Cantona to Rooney but despite these comings and goings, the success has remained.
Sir Alex may not plan on being around in the game for many more years but he must certainly be regarded as one of the best managers to have ever been a part of it.
Written by William McGill of ThisIsFutbol.Com
To be honest, crowning “The Greatest of All Time” is really difficult. All great managers dealt with different things at different times.
Shankly, Paisley, Sir Matt Busby were the greatest at their times.
Forest fans definitely will mention Brian Clough as the greatest, which is understandable. Clough turned a small club to European Cup winners (twice !)although FA Cuup triumph always eluded him.
How about Guus Hiddink ? Ottmar Hitzfield ?
But no question that Sir Alex is one of the greatest managers of all time
And its 2 cup winners cups! 1 with aberdeen and one with united!
Who did we beat in that european final again?………
Barcelona! I have the footage but as it’s too long I doubt it’ll be watched if it’s uploaded!