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Why Manchester United's boss has a psychological edge over his Arsenal and Liverpool counterparts
Sir Alex Ferguson remains head and shoulders above Arsenal Wenger and Rafa Benitez. Whereas they have weaknesses, Fergie appears faultless.
by Ed Bottomley on 21 May 2008
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Peter Schmeichel, the keystone to Manchester United’s treble-winning side of 1999, gave some very useful insight into Sir Alex Ferguson’s managerial style last week. The Dane spoke on BBC’s Sportsweek radio show, giving us a slightly different side to the abrasive Scot.
We all know about the “hairdryer” treatment where the halitoid grumpster lets rip with a verbal hurricane, and about his propensity to throw things when irritated. But according to Schmeichel this is only one part of the Scot’s complex personality.
Schmeichel described a manager who thrives on “squeaky bum time” and relishes the business end of the season, and also paints a picture of someone who, although known to indulge in bouts of primal screaming in the changing room, remains eerily calm outside those four walls.
The most revealing part of the Schmeichel interview was when he gave a prime example of Fergie’s molten rage, way back in Sunday October 20, 1996. “We lost 5-0 at Newcastle and next week we lost 6-3 at Southampton,'' he recalled. “After that match in Southampton, he was so angry and probably the worst I’ve ever seen him, but he got it out of his system; half an hour later he’s on the coach playing cards with the lads.
Comments (15)
on May 21, 2008 on May 21, 2008
Tripe
You do talk out of your arse alright "Ed Bottomley" Fergie is flawless.....!
by Rog C on May 21, 2008
What an awful piece.. I was expecting some thought provoking insight into the psyche of the man.. not just a quick summary of recent events used as some kind of validation. Try harder.
by Your fairy Godmother on May 21, 2008
Stinky bottom, i think it's time you washed that stinking arse of yours cos i can smell the shit on your arse hairs from here. Go and clean that shit off your floor and remember to do it in the toilet next time.
by Jules on May 21, 2008
When everything is taken into account, as it should be, Wenger shits all over Fergie! Spending tens of millions year upon year doesn't make you a good manager, buying youngsters on the cheap and making them world class does! Wenger is head and shoulders above Fergie...FACT!!!
by med on May 21, 2008
Define psychological?
by First name Last name on May 21, 2008
Yes Wenger is very different to Fergie. Since when does the willingness to 'slurge on players' make you a BETTER manager? If person A works hard and buys a car for himself, yet person B gets daddy to buy it for him does that make person B a better person? In your little man utd world I guess it does. Surely someone who doesn't buy their way through life and instead uses hard work and talent is therefore the more skilled and more deserving of respect. You summarised fergie quite well. An angry, bitter old man who goes off into a rage at his players after they don't perform to the standard expected of them according to their price tag. He outspends all his competitors stealing their best players to beat them at football, great manager. *rolls eyes
by Rehan Ashraf on May 21, 2008
Dear Ed The only reason Wenger buys youngsters is because HIS BLOODY HANDS HAVE BEEN TIED DUE TO THE STADIUM DEBT!!!!! Until we flog off the Highbury housing unit developments, Wenger cannot spend freely. The fact that he has a brilliant scouting network and an eye for talent has meant that moving stadium and competing for honours have not conflicted. We all want him to spend, but key words are "Arsene knows". With an Economics degree, he is careful with Arsenal's money as he should be. Of course Fergie is the master for spending extravagent amounts on players after tapping them up (van Nistelrooy, Stam, Yorke), and since the 1996 double winning youth players has not unearthed one player to follow in their footsteps. May I also add that United currently pay £50m a year just on interest - how exactly is Fergie a master if he cannot even cut costs?!
by Austingunner on May 21, 2008
I am a Gunner and I basically see Wenger and Ferguson as tied...each has their strengths. Like the Money=Skill post I tend to favor Wenger over Ferguson, because he gets more out of the players he has, and although United's style is attacking, Arsenal's style is sublime along the lines of the Rinus Michel's Ajax teams. Fergie, is a better whip cracker and better at handling the big egos and getting them to bend that ego for the good of the team. Ferguson has had a bit of luck in making his legendary name. Look no further than the treble...they were well outplayed by Bayern and were extremely lucky to win that year. I would also factor in that there is a much greater home advantage for United playing at Old Trafford, where in the eyes of the referees they can seldom do wrong.
by Roberto Carlos on May 21, 2008
What a banal article. It tells us nothing more than what all fans have been discussing all season. Its too simplistic and does not explain why Wenger and Benitez do things differently from Ferguson.
Why not put your hero Moyes in there too!.. He has spent more than Wenger and he's won JACK ALL.. Pick on Arsenal site!!
by T A on May 21, 2008
To compare requires an indepth research analysis. To depend on a quotation of one player only falls short of all sorts of the factors of comparative analysis. You need to rewrite your article. All three are world class coaches
by shaggy doo on May 21, 2008
fergie a master! what utter crap. he couldn't speak when city and sven slapped his multi million pound team. when it dose become squeeky bum time he has to have a pop at the ref before a ball has been kicked in anger. come on ed just admit the blokes a ham-shanker.
by Nigel Benson on May 22, 2008
Manchester United buy trophies - they don't win them.Ferguson would have been an average manager in England without his unlimited chequebook. It gives him a huge advantage. There's no doubt Arsene Wenger is a far superior manager.
by Mary Anderson on May 24, 2008
Fergie is the BEST of the BEST. nothing else. congratulations Uniteds's victory over chelsea!
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