November 6 – Fergie Storms In
IN the history of good decisions, this one was a belter. You have to tip your hat to the big cheeses at Old Trafford because it was on this day in 1986 that Sir Alex Ferguson was appointed Manchester United manager.
Fergie started his managerial career at the age of 32 with East Stirlingshire before moving on to St Mirren, where he was sacked for swearing at a lady. Ah simpler times.
His next port of call was Aberdeen where he made quite a name for himself by breaking the Old Firm duopoly and winning the Scottish league three times as well as both domestic cups. He even led the Dons to victory in the European Cup Winners’ Cup to become only the third Scottish club to win European honours.
Meanwhile, down at Old Trafford, Manchester United had never really found a convincing replacement for their inspirational leader Sir Matt Busby and had even turned to Big Ron Atkinson for success.
For a time Ron even looked the part, signing Bryan Robson among others and even winning the FA Cup twice in three years.
What the Old Trafford faithful really craved was the league title and despite looking likely to win it, Big Ron couldn’t quite get it together to deliver the big prize.
By November 1986 the club were to close to the relegation zone for United suits’ comfort so they gave Big Ron the ‘big e’ and employed a man who couldn’t be further from Atkinson’s style.
It is well documented that Fergie’s reign was not an immediate success when he did get going, he just didn’t stop, seemingly winning trophies almost at will.
Here’s Fergie explaining the pressures of managing the world’s biggest club and proving that he picked up a a little of the lingo in his time working in the Clyde ship yards.
Pop back tomorrow to read about an altogether less successful coaching appointment.
Related posts:
- November 6 – Fergie Storms In and Kidnap! Manchester United hit the jackpot and the dodgy side of...
- May 31 – Fergie Fired Alex Ferguson "has no managerial ability." Not our words, but...
- August 28 – Fergie Gets Pally and Folwer Gets Three Fergie buys another piece of the jigsaw as Robbie Fowler...
- May 2 – Oldham (and United) Win TODAY in 1993 Oldham Athletic pulled off an unexpected 1-0...
Loading ...2 Comments
November 6 - Fergie Storms In and Kidnap! | On This Football Day on November 6th, 2009
[...] 1986 – Fergie Storms In [...]
November 6 - Kidnap! | On This Football Day on November 6th, 2008
[...] a look here to see what else happened on this football day, and swing by again tomorrow for another footballing [...]