MY THOUGHTS ON "ALEX TAKES A BOW"
From East Stirlingshire to
Manchester United!
It is 3 a.m. on a cold Thursday morning, head down, pen rolling from finger
to finger, the fiery thoughts of what should pass as a debut topic lingers on. Politics,
fashion, World news... Nah! I don’t think so!
However, as my ever wondering mind hovers across one area-football, for
which I would certainly be culpable of extra
love for, or even out-and-out bias, the thoughts of one great man (though more
of a foe, for footballing reasons) quickly comes to mind- Alec (as the Scots would
prefer)... Yeah! Sir Alex Ferguson.
Besides his mean feat of chewing well over a million gums, securing 13
league titles, 2 champions league cups, 5 FA cups and 4 League Cups, 10
Community Shields, 1UEFA Cup Winners Cup, 1 UEFA Super Cup, 1 Intercontinental
Cup, 1FIFA World Club, the most remarkable feature, to my mind, of this great
icon whose achievements can only be spoken of in pluralism is his adaptability
to changing circumstances and climate.
Right from the mid 80’s when the likes of Liverpool, Leeds United, Arsenal and
Nottingham Forest held sway in English football, this 'Sir' bravely took over a
“near middle-class” club, sat astride it and hastily rode it to become one of
the most envied, respected and even feared sporting outfits in world sports
today.
The rareness of this feat can better
be appreciated when viewed against the backdrop of the fact that a large chunk
of the teams he met 'at the top' has not
failed to either steadily dwindle into extinction, consistently grovel at a far
too low cadre or endured a total trophy
hiatus. Thus, Sir Alex showing some sort of evolutionary tendencies like the
Nile crocodiles steadily grew from strength to strength while others took the
parts of dinosaurs and sabres. Even more interesting is the fact of his
adaptation to overcome some 'noisy
neighbours' in such glamorous fashion of recovering and recapturing the
League trophy with about 5 games left.
Granted, as a RED FACED Arsenal fan, I completely and utterly respect what
he has done, but I didn’t like him as a rival and I won’t pretend to suddenly
want to go on a Ferguson-missing spree or like him now. I am also sure that’s
pretty much exactly how I wanted it or maybe sooner. I realize there’s a vast
difference between someone’s public image and the private reality. Lots of the
tributes posted since the news of his retirement have spoken about the side of
him that people didn't see, the decent, charitable one, but having never been
party to that I can only go from what he showed us. Well, maybe that is talk
for another day.
In fact, there could only be a very short list of news that could make for
me, a better way to start a day. That said, I must also state the football
world will be a poorer place without him. Without doubt the greatest manager of
all times. Love him or hate him, you have to respect him, and of course, I do!
As much as it hurts to appreciate this legend, one must quickly concede to
the fact that the likes of Alex Ferguson might not be seen again in this
generation, and at a point in time when football has grown to become more of
business than sports.
Talking about business, a financial record of approximately £350 million in
his final years as the boss clearly sets a bar too high for almost any manager
to accomplish. More so, what about an initial 4.5 per cent plunge in stock
within hours of announcement of his retirement?
For a manager whose addiction to winning became strengthened with every
feel of victory, one would never be guilty of exaggeration to state that he was
plainly wired to win. Turning an ordinarily mediocre football team to what is
arguably the biggest force in world sports is purely an achievement attainable
by only an infinitesimal amount of mortals.
The idea of great men leaving the stage at that point when the ovation is
loudest has always been my most cherished piece of advice to any whom having
enjoyed the spotlight, begins to wonder if just a little encore would be appropriate. Ask Didier, the rule is NO ENCORES, or better still ask Mr.
Rigobert Song, only two minutes after his calamitous confrontation with a
certain Zidane from the North.
What else can I say; Sir Alex Ferguson deserves to get a watch with 79
minutes of " Fergie time" on it instead of 60.
The Greatest Manager of all times! Enjoy your retirement in good health. Thanks for leaving the stage when the ovation
is loudest, and please stay retired and No Paul Scholesing!
