Legendary Manager

Sir Alex Ferguson

In a managerial career spanning almost four decades, Sir Alex Ferguson created a legacy of success in Scotland and England as one of the greatest football managers of all time.

It is hard to truly quantify the impact Sir Alex left on Scottish and English football. In Scotland he led Aberdeen to some of their most memorable successes including winning the European Cup Winners’ Cup before travelling South of the border to build an all-conquering Manchester United side that thrilled crowds at home and across Europe with their commitment to attacking play, promoting exciting young players and scoring late winners in what would become known as ‘Fergie Time’.

Born in Govan, Sir Alex enjoyed a successful playing career in Scotland with Queen’s Park, St Johnstone, Dunfermline, Rangers, Falkirk and Ayr United. At Falkirk, he took his first steps in management as a player-coach.

Legend

Sir Alex Ferguson

Birthplace Govan, Glasgow

Date of birth 31/12/41

Playing career Queen’s Park, St Johnstone, Dunfermline Athletic, Rangers, Falkirk, Ayr United

Teams managed East Stirlingshire, St Mirren, Aberdeen, Scotland, Manchester United

Aberdeen and Scotland

After successful spells with East Stirlingshire and St Mirren where he took the Paisley club from the lower half of the Second Division to the Premier Division, Sir Alex was tempted north to join Aberdeen in 1978.

With Sir Alex in charge, Aberdeen won the Scottish league in 1980, the first time a team other than Celtic or Rangers had won the top flight in 15 years. Sir Alex’s haul of trophies in the Granite city included two further league titles, four Scottish Cup crowns and a Scottish League Cup.

Sir Alex’s greatest achievements in Aberdeen came in Europe, becoming the third Scottish side to win European silverware by lifting the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1983, beating the European icons Real Madrid in the Final in Gothenburg. The following year Aberdeen would add the UEFA Super Cup to the trophy cabinet, beating European Cup winners Hamburger SV.

The summer before travelling south to Manchester, Sir Alex would step in to lead the Scotland National Team after the tragic passing of Jock Stein. Having been part of Stein’s coaching staff during the qualifying campaign, Sir Alex successfully guided the side through the Playoff against Australia and into the Finals in Mexico during the summer of 1986 where they would be edged out in the group stage.

In his own words

Sir Alex Ferguson after seeing his Manchester United side overturn a one goal deficit in stoppage time to win the 1999 Champions League Final against Bayern Munich:

Football, bloody hell

All-time great in England

Joining Manchester United in November of 1986, Sir Alex created teams that would dominate English and European football through the 1990’s and beyond, becoming the most successful football manager in British history. A staggering thirteen Premier League titles, five FA Cups, four League Cups, two Champions League titles and a European Cup Winners’ Cup would arrive at Old Trafford under Sir Alex’s watch.

Just as impressive was Sir Alex’s ability to mould successful teams by helping young players develop into world class stars and refreshing his team when necessary to ensure success continued. Fans loved Manchester United’s commitment to attacking football, with the club growing into a global superpower thanks to Sir Alex’s successful leadership of the club.