The end of the Fergie era: Views of an Arsenal fan

The announcement that Sir Alex Ferguson was retiring as United’s manager after the current season took many people, including myself, by shock. His retirement may have been inevitable, yet it leaves a gaping hole in the hearts and minds of many a fan and United fans in particular. As an Arsenal fan, I have begrudged his many successes at United, yet I have come to respect him as a manager. His tenacity, managerial skills, tactical acumen and sheer longevity in a business which is famous for managerial merry go rounds is something to admire. Arguably, he is the greatest British manager in the history of football, if not the greatest manager ever in football.

Not many people would know this but Arsenal themselves wanted to bring Sir Alex in as manager during the 1985-1986 season after his phenomenal success with Aberdeen. How strange would that have been had he accepted the role at Arsenal. One can only wonder what might have been. If there is one thing I have come to learn about Sir Alex, it’s that he knows how to walk the talk. His famous comments about knocking the mighty Liverpool off their perch came to fruition two seasons back and he hasn’t looked back since, turning United from a sleeping giant into the most successful club in England (league titles).

Another really admirable trait of his is his ability to break down the established order in the leagues in which he managed. In Scotland, a country where the top division football league is traditionally a two horse race between the two Glasgow giants, Celtic and Rangers, he made a name for himself by winning 3 Scottish Premier division titles, 4 Scottish Cups, 1 Scottish League cup and even upsetting the mighty Real Madrid to win the Cup Winner’s cup. When he took the job at United, he had to face a massive challenge from the Merseyside clubs (Everton and Liverpool) who had been dominating the English football landscape for many a season. He broke that hegemony even though he struggled initially, and the rest, as they say, is history. He led United to their first league title in 26 years and their first European trophy in two decades. The list of honours he has won at a managerial level is phenomenal and one that will not be broken for a while.

Growing up as a child during the 90s, there were only really two clubs you ever heard of: Arsenal FC and Manchester United FC. Arguably, one of the greatest rivalries the sport has ever seen was waged at a frenetic pace during those days and came to define an era of the Premier League, the likes of which hasn’t been seen since. The sheer popularity of the English Premier League could be put down to this magnificent contest between two clubs with a wealth of history. As an Arsenal fan, one would savour these mouthwatering encounters between these two giants of English football. The rivalry, at one point, boiled down to sheer mental strength and a number of mind games. And one such proponent of these mind games was none other than Sir Alex. Years before Arsene had joined Arsenal and indulged in mind games with the United boss, there was Kevin Keegan who had tried to take Fergie on at his own game and had failed miserably. This psychological warfare had gotten to Keegan but Arsene was more than willing to take Fergie on at his own game, and even beat him. And hence, we witnessed the birth of the grudge matches between the two clubs and for a period of 8 years or so, fans were treated to epic clashes both on and off the pitch. The media lapped it all up and the commercialization phase of the Premier League began. Alas, Arsenal could not keep up with United, but the arrival of managers like Jose Mourinho, Rafa Benitez and Roberto Mancini kept the fire going in Sir Alex’s belly, and eventually they were all vanquished.

His tenacious never-say-die attitude has often rubbed off on his players and it can be clearly seen on the pitch too. In the last decade or so, the number of victories that United have pulled out of the jaws of defeat have been outstanding. Fearing the wrath of the famous “hairdryer”, players have given him their very best when asked to do so and this speaks volumes of his ability as a leader of men. I think his strongest ability is to instill in his players a type of mental strength that allows the players to believe in themselves and believe that they can win, no matter how tough the odd. He never mollycoddles his players and yet he is like a father figure to them.

Let me be frank. It will be strange to see the United dugout missing that perennial figure wrapped up in his black overcoat, chewing his customary piece of gum and bellowing orders out to his players while giving the referee a earful, all at the same time. His retirement means that English football’s longest serving managerial reign will then fall upon the shoulders of Arsene Wenger and as an Arsenal fan I will be very sad to see him go, when he eventually does leave. Sir Alex’ retirement could not have come at a better time as he has just wrapped up his 13^th EPL crown and United’s 20^th. He has been honoured at Old Trafford with both a stand being named in his honour and a statue outside the stadium. Whoever is his successor at the club has huge shoes to fill and let us hope that the weight of expectations does not prove too burdensome for the heir. I can honestly say that for the potential new manager, the vacant post at United is like a poisoned chalice.

In conclusion, one can only salute Sir Alex for what he has achieved at the top managerial levels and wish him the best of luck for the future as he steps into the sunset of his career. His rise to the top serves as inspiration for everyone out there and provides valuable insight into how to become successful in life.

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