Sir Alex Ferguson is now enjoying his retirement after nearly four decades in football. We often hear about his well-known stories, such as his thirteen titles with Manchester United and his fiery passion on the field. However, there are some lesser-known tales from Ferguson’s career that have recently come to light, thanks to Ukrainian scout Anatoliy Korobochka and his Scottish friend Lee Duncan, who worked for years at clubs like Hearts and Aberdeen in Scotland. These stories have been shared with Ferguson’s consent.
How the injured were treated
When Ferguson took over at Aberdeen in 1978, he found a team with talented players but a history of poor results, partly due to numerous injuries in an era when squads were smaller. In his initial training sessions, Ferguson heard numerous players complaining about illnesses and minor injuries. His response was unconventional. He ordered the entire team to gather at the beach, even though the weather in Aberdeen was far from ideal. There, he instructed the players he had noted as having minor issues to undress and enter the freezing water, believing it would help them heal. The next day, miraculously, there were no injured players in Aberdeen; everyone trained.
Taxi driver
During his successful tenure at Aberdeen, Ferguson was determined to maintain discipline among his players. On one occasion, he and his wife went to the theater, and he warned the players not to visit bars as they had a match against Celtic soon. However, after the theater, he overheard taxi drivers discussing how some players had ordered taxis to a bar. Enraged, Ferguson put on a taxi driver’s cap and took a driver with him to confront the players. He entered the nightclub, surprising the players and putting an end to their night out. Fines followed.
Never mess with the boss
In his early coaching career at St. Mirren, Ferguson encountered a challenge to his authority. After just 21 days of preseason training, the team posed for a group photo. However, the captain, Ian Reid, mocked Ferguson behind his back in the photo. The next day, Reid was stripped of his captaincy, and shortly after, his contract was terminated. Ferguson’s message was clear: only serious players would be part of his team.
“I’ll Show You Who You’ll Fight, You Fool!”
During a break in the Scottish football season, Ferguson took his St. Mirren team to the Caribbean for a week. They decided to play a friendly match against local boys who played with extreme aggression. When the local referee failed to control the situation, Ferguson, at just 35 years old, put on a jersey and entered the game to protect his player, Bobby Torrance, who was being targeted. His intervention ended the match in a brawl, but it earned him respect from the players.
“I Knocked Out Sir Alex”
In a famous incident, Aberdeen’s Frank McDougall punched Ferguson during a match. McDougall was known for his toughness and didn’t want to be substituted early in the game. After the match, Ferguson confronted McDougall, and a physical altercation ensued. This surprising incident actually deepened their mutual respect, and they remained friends.
Buckle Up, Lee Sharpe
Ferguson’s tenure at Manchester United brought him face to face with talented but sometimes wayward players like Lee Sharpe. Sharpe’s extravagant lifestyle off the field, including parties and luxury cars, irked Ferguson. He even went to the extent of having Sharpe’s car sold and having his music studio dismantled. A clash over Sharpe’s attire at a club dinner eventually led to his transfer to Leeds United.
Don’t Be Cocky, Ronaldo
Ferguson’s tough love extended to Cristiano Ronaldo when he joined Manchester United as a young and cocky talent. Ferguson famously used his “hairdryer” treatment on Ronaldo, letting him know that arrogance had no place on the team. It was only after a stern lesson and the guidance of teammates like Paul Scholes that Ronaldo adapted to English football.
“I’m the Prosecutor, the Judge, and the Executioner. You Have No Say”
Ferguson’s approach to discipline also involved unconventional methods. He once hired a taxi driver to follow and report on a player’s nightlife activities. When the player found out, he confronted Ferguson, who sternly reminded him that he had the final say on matters both on and off the field. This incident exemplified Ferguson’s uncompromising authority as a manager.
These lesser-known stories from Sir Alex Ferguson’s career shed light on his unorthodox but effective methods in coaching and managing players. Despite the challenges and controversies, Ferguson’s legacy in football remains unmatched.
