Sir Alex: The great architect

On 19^th May 2013, a legendary love affair would take a new turn. A love affair that lasted 26 years, and will continue, between a loyal, intelligent Manager and his Club. Yes, you guessed it right, the manager is none other than Sir Alexander Chapman Ferguson. During his reign at United, he achieved so much that he is more than just a guardian for many. Sir Alex brought with him many more qualities to United. He was a great leader, mentor and always stood by his players under all circumstances. He would always be remembered as one of the greatest managers of all time by any football lover for years to come.

The day when the news flashed about the decision Sir Alex had made about his retirement, I was shocked initially. Concurrently, I was hoping in some corner of my mind that somehow he would recall his retirement. I think every United fan was hoping the same, as Ferguson was much more than just a manager. Some while after the shock, I eventually felt it was his decision to take and certainly a well-timed one.

I think Sir Alex was a fatherly figure to the club all these years. He was aware of every nook and corner at Old Trafford, just like his home. Be it team selection or deciding the tactics before the match, he mastered them all and the results always proved him right. His daunting win percentage over the span 26 years speaks volumes about the same. Winning games in crunch situations, enjoying his side dominating the opposition and even the defeats, he experienced them all. Before every game, he always inspired the lads to achieve nothing less than a win. So, being a Red Devil at heart, I was assured that he would always be there for the club whatever the situation.

The way he built and rebuilt squads, season after season, made sure that United kept on winning games in all formats and at all levels. His signings of Roy Keane, Giggs, Cantona, Beckham, Scholes, Vidic, Rooney, Ronaldo, Hernandez, and more recently van Persie, tell us a lot about his talent recognition skills. The secret behind it was his knack of identifying the right piece (talent) that would complete the jigsaw (team). During an interview, he revealed what he always looks for in any youngster he is scouting. Attributes such as how much is the player willing to give to the game, his attitude to work for the team and his will to work harder to put that extra bit matter the most than anything else for the Gaffer. Over all these years, he was influential in bringing right talent to the club, be it from the youth ranks or landing in star players at the club. No doubt Sir Alex’s man management skills are admired worldwide, even by the top management gurus.

In due course, ageing has made this man’s heart much younger. Even after such a long period as a manager, his enthusiasm towards the game has never diminished. The way he celebrates every goal that Man Utd score is a proof of the same. More importantly, he never stayed out of the news. His mind games with opposition managers, his cheeky quotes and straight forward interviews made sure he always enjoyed the limelight. He ensured the club reflected its prevailing and aggressive nature through its game on the pitch as well as tactics off the pitch. By doing all this, he continuously focused on making a brand name for United which he has successfully achieved.

Looking back and starting from November 1986, so much that he gave to this club and in turn football was clearly reflected by the fact that the footballing fraternity was heaping praises on him after hearing about his retirement. Ever since I started understanding the minutiae of this beautiful game, I have been seeing this man in his characteristic dark suit and red tie, chewing gum in his mouth, full of spirit and leading the club to higher levels than before. The fact that he was the man in-charge even before I was born and his Red Army were already on course to knocking Liverpool off their “fu*#@!g perch” (which they eventually achieved), gives me goose bumps even today. He was very much instrumental in making Manchester United a club that it is now worth approx.$3bn and counting. This, truly, calls for an applause.

All these years he displayed an undying will and desire to excel along with lots and lots of patience.

Keeping all these things in mind along with the fact that he dedicated quarter of a century to the club, it won’t be an exaggeration if I call him the Architect of Manchester United.