Good Bye Mr. Ferguson!

Manchester United have until now won 13 Premier League titles (20 English League Titles in total), 5 FA Cups, 4 League Cups, 10 FA Charity/Community Shield, 2 UEFA Champions League titles, 1 UEFA Cup, 1 UEFA Super Cup, 1 Intercontinental Cup, 1 FIFA Club World Cup. These are not the contributions of 4 or 5 managers, but there is a man who has the capability of achieving so much on his own. He is no one but Sir Alex Ferguson. He has spent 26 successful years with Manchester United, holding a record of lifting 38 trophies. His contributions for Manchester United are really something to talk about.

Sir Alex joined Manchester United from Aberdeen on 6 November, 1986 when Atkinson was sacked from Old Trafford. At that time, many players such as Norman Whiteside, Paul McGrath and Bryan Robson were drinking too much and so Ferguson was “depressed” by their level of fitness, but he managed to increase the players’ discipline and United climbed up the table and they finished the season at 11th place from 21st, that is, second from bottom (from where he took control). Such was the determination of this manager as he reacted to this situation calmly and the result was positive for him.

Sir Alex managed his first game for Manchester United against lowly side Oxford United which they unfortunately lost 2-0, followed a week after a goalless draw to newly promoted Norwich City. His first win was against QPR (1-0) and from then on the results started to improve gradually which led the club to finish the final table at 11th place.

But now, it is Ferguson’s Manchester United only which have maintained the ‘habit’ of finishing the table in the first place. Though last season it was their city rivals Manchester City who won the EPL title after giving tough competition to Manchester United. Still no one can ever forget Ferguson’s efforts and dedication towards his team. He has guided his team to a glorious period in their history, making them the most successful club in English football history and also the most supported club. It is really impossible to replace the man who has, several times, won the treble for his club and did not boast about that. He kept on working harder and harder by every year and the results came easily in his hands.

Who will forget Ferguson’s magical substitutions, which led to a sudden change in the game, his famous come back victory, and some of us will never forget his only piece of chewing gum!!! Well, jokes apart, it is now clear why his bronze statue, by Scottish sculptor Phillip Jackson is situated at Old Trafford.

From Eric Cantona to Nemanja Vidic, from George Best to David Beckham, Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, from (Sir) Bobby Charlton to Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, and now Robin van Persie, his selection of players, be it during transfer window or in middle of the match (during substitution) is very praiseworthy. His choice of players was also helpful in making him the best manager in English football’s history.

And now, Sir Alex Ferguson is retiring as a manager of Manchester United, we salute him for what he has achieved in so many years. Well, he is not going anywhere but will stay in Manchester United only taking the role of club’s sporting director. David Moyes, now the former Everton manager for 11 years, will join Manchester United from 1st July on a six-year deal. Let’s see what can he do for Manchester United!! Will he be able to even tally Ferguson’s records? Or SAF will remain the best manager of football’s history. Well, I wish Sir Alex Ferguson best of luck for his future.