Ferguson: My 25 year spell at United has been a 'fairy tale'
Published 12:38 03/11/11 By David McDonnell
Sir Alex Ferguson has described his 25 years in charge of Manchester United as a “fairytale” and a “fantastic” time.
Ferguson, who celebrates a quarter of a century in charge of United this Sunday, paid tribute to the succession of great players who have helped him sustain the club’s remarkable success over that time.
“I’ve been very fortunate to have had some of the best players in the game,” he said. “When I look back at these players I say to myself, ‘How fortunate I am.’
"It’s quite incredible. You look at the list of players when I came at the very start - Bryan Robson and Norman Whiteside - through to Brian McClair, Mark Hughes, Paul Ince, Roy Keane and Eric Cantona. God, what a collection of players. Those were fantastic players.
“It’s hard to think I was in control of all those players for so long, right through to the present era of players, who have different personalities and are from different cultures.
“It’s been a really fantastic spell for me. It’s something you don’t think is going to happen and it’s a bit of a fairytale to last so long. I appreciate that.
“I’ll continue as long as I feel healthy enough to do it. It’s such a varied time in management.
"Things change as the years go on. It’s a different way of managing than it was seven or eight years ago. It’s changed.”
One of Ferguson’s great strengths over his time at United has been his determination to always look to the challenge ahead, rather than dwell on, or live off, past triumphs.
And although he hosted a gala dinner for 600 guests at Old Trafford cricket ground on Thursday night to mark his silver anniversary, his main focus is on Saturday’s Premier League game against Sunderland.
There is a neat symmetry about that particular team coming to Old Trafford on Fergie's big day.
Their manager, Steve Bruce, scored both United goals in a 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday that effectively clinched Ferguson’s first league title in 1993.
“Brucey is coming back to town, and our association with Sunderland over the years has been interesting,” said the Scot.
“Two of our former players have become managers up there - Steve and Roy Keane - while two of our old players - John O’Shea and Wes Brown - will be coming back.
“I’m not sure if John will be fit, but hopefully they’ll both get a big welcome. They’re both fantastic professionals. I loved both of them in terms of attitude to play and loyalty to the club.
“Hopefully, it’s not too good a day for them, but I know they’ll do well at Sunderland. They’re good professionals.
“Steve has been under a bit of pressure, but you only need to lose two games these days and you’re under pressure. But he’ll be okay, because he’s got the mettle for it.
“That first six or seven weeks in August and September can prove fatal to some managers. I remember Peter Reid getting sacked after, I think, five games at Manchester City. You wonder really.
“I think there’s a knee-jerk reaction in football and it doesn’t do any good. But Steve will be okay.”
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