Other Sports

what is the secret of Ferguson's long and continued success story at United?

May 7th, 2013
by Weeshie Fogarty

 Behind every highly successful team or club especially those who remain at the very top of their chosen sport over a long period there is always a man who plans, guides and directs all aspects of that particular accomplishment.  To draw a GAA equivalent here in Kerry we had great trainors/managers, Dr Eamonn o Sullivan, Con Brosnan, Jackie Lyne, Paudie o Se, Jack o Connor and Mick o Dwyer who has won more major trophies than all others in the history of the game . These men who when Kerry were in the doldrums guided them to Munster Championships, National Leagues and All Irelands. Sir Alex Ferguson the manager of Manchester United is without any argument what-so-ever one of those people. One of the most decorated and successful managers in the history of sport Fergusons insatiable appetite for success has kept him at the very top of his game far longer than even he himself would have envisaged. In 2002 he announced that he was about to retire but he quickly changed his mind and since then he has gone on to build even further on the amazing success he had attained since he became manager of the world renowned club in 1986. He had come to Man United from Scottish side Aberdeen with whome he had won three league titles, four Scottish Cups and even a Cup Winners Cup. These Scottish successes mostly overlooked are in my opinion even more deserving of praise than what he has achieved with United. Any manager that could direct his team to come between the mighty domination that existed there between Glasgow Rangers and Glasgow Celtic and win even one trophy deserves great recognition, but to achieve what he did with Aberdeen over the big two might be viewed as comparable to say Kerry winning the Munster senior hurling championship on a few occasions, defeating the major powers in Munster in the process.

So what is the secret of Ferguson's long and continued success story at United? Two weeks ago he saw his side capture the clubs 20th premiership League title and in his twenty seven years there he has masterminded the winning of a staggering thirty eight major trophies.  However it must also be said what might be regarded his one failure is the fact that he has won just two European Cups during all this time and has suffered some galling defeats in the closing stages of this enchanting competition. In recent years two final defeats by Barcelona emphasized the gulf in sheer skill that existed between these two clubs and despite what Ferguson has done to close the gap, e.g. bringing in new players, when push came to shove the majority of his stars especially the English born men were found wanting when Barcelona powered by the genius of Messi and then this year Real Madrid were the opponents.  Critics of Ferguson will also say until he equals the record of the legendary Liverpool manager the late Bob Paisley his legacy will not be finally completed. Paisley won three European Cups during his nine years as manager of Liverpool.

The Manchester manager has established a reputation as a man who rules with an iron fist and as he himself remarked one time, "success gives you control", and in these four words may lie one of the secrets of his continue dominance of the English game.  Of course the players in all sports are the most important people in a club or county side and after them the supporters, but the players or supporters can never be allowed run the show. Someone has to be in charge and that person is the manager and that applies to every team. Ferguson has been greatly admired for inspired singings during his career, Peter Schimachel, Wane Rooney, Eric Cantona, and of course his most recent Robin van Persie. On the other hand in my opinion his greatest secret of all is his courage in getting rid of players who had begun as a result of their fame and achievements had begun to "take over the dressing room" or had become problematical in some other way, outstanding players such as Paul McGrath, Paul Ince, Roy Keane, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and others all got a quick shift. There would be only one voice, one boss, and no place for dissenters and if that ever changed there would be a massive free fall in standards in the club. Alexander Chapman Ferguson was knighted in the Queens Honors list in 1999; United followers will tell you he should eventually be canonized, I believe he will remain as United manager as long as his health is good. Ferguson is steeped in the Scottish working-class culture and it is his commitment to hard work that has been one of the driving forces behind his astonishing success. You either love or hate Manchester United, but either way you must admire them. The late greatly lamented Paidi o Se loved to compare Kerry as the Manchester United of Gaelic football.  Enough said. 

April 25th 1957, I stood in the Stretford end in Old Trafford, Manchester United were playing Real Madrid. I was in the company of my late brother Jimmy then living in Oldham having emigrated there two years previously. I was surrounded by jam-packed swaying, heaving mass of fanatical supporters. The words health and safety had yet to surface.  The United team, the legendary Busby Babes affectionately nicknamed after manager Matt Busby were playing. The game ended in a draw 2-2.  Renowned players were in the all white strip of Madrid that evening, Gento, Di Stefano, Kope and Puskas; they won five European Cups in a row. The United players came to the Stretford End at the final whistle to take the rapturous applause of the adoring fans, including myself. Tommy Taylor, David Pegg, Duncan Edwards, Liam Whelan, Roger Byrne, Geoff Bent, Eddie Coleman. I would never see them again. They all died in the tragic Munich air disaster the following February, 1958. My abiding love and passion for Man United has never faltered since that foggy evening in Old Trafford fifty six long years ago.



Sections

Search Articles



 
Radio Kerry - The Voice of the Kingdom