#1 Sir Alex Ferguson - The Godfather
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The name that has become synonymous with Manchester United football club, Sir Alex took over the club in November 1986 with the team languishing in 18th position.
The players were unprofessional and the scouting system had weakened through the years. Teams like Liverpool, Everton, and Arsenal had left them behind in terms of trophies and glory. Even competing for the league title seemed a far-fetched thought. What transpired over the 27 years of him incharge was beyond anyone’s imagination.
The Scotsman sold off big stars with unprofessional attitudes, revamped the scouting and academy structure, and instilled a sense of belief in the club. The ‘never say die attitude’ was ever present every time the team took to the field. Signing players like Mark Hughes and Eric Cantona led them to the first league title in 26 years in 1993.
Later, he sold the same players that won him the double in 1994 in favour of youngsters like David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and the Neville brothers. This group would go on to become the most famous group of young players in England known as the “Class of 92”. Along with mavericks like Roy Keane and Peter Schmeichel, he signed players like Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole and the original baby-faced assassin, Ole Solksjaer.
This squad went on to win the historic treble, a feat yet to be equalled by an English club.
Known for their ability to inspire a comeback from the dead, Sir Alex Ferguson himself made a comeback from his self-imposed retirement in 2001. While they won only one league title from 2001 to 2006, he made important signings including Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Cristiano Ronaldo.
From a skinny teenager from Portugal, the Scottish manager inspired Ronaldo to become the best player in the world. Three consecutive league titles from 2006 to 2009 and the famous Champions league in 2008 completed his comeback. Even after Ronaldo left, Sir Alex steered his depleted side to two more league wins.
Over the course of his United career, Sir Alex won a record number of trophies – 49. From being 11 league titles behind Liverpool in 1992, Sir Alex retired in 2013 having won 13 league titles and thus surpassing Liverpool in 2011.
He also won 5 FA Cups, two European Championships, 10 community shields, 4 league cups, and 1 Club World Cup, Supercup, Cup Winner’s cup each. Manchester United was transformed from the underachieving club in the 1980s to the most famous club in the world by the time he retired. The void left by him is yet to be properly filled 3 years after his retirement. Sir Alex Ferguson will go down in the history books as arguably the greatest manager of all time.
