Shadow of the Knight

Paul Smith

Description

Shadow of the Knight is a celebration of Sir Alex Ferguson's trophy-studded management career, brilliantly analysing the factors which have contributed to his success - then looking to the future, and the vexed question of how Manchester United will ever be able to replace their iconic leader. Paul Smith's detective work uncovers the key decisions and methods, the people and beliefs which have shaped Ferguson's values and helped evolve his deadly mode of operation. He scrutinises Ferguson's credentials through the eyes of former team-mates, managerial charges and those who have worked closest to him. And so to the almost unthinkable question of United after Ferguson, and who best to follow in his illustrious footsteps. Discover the ruthless and softer sides of Ferguson, the key role of family in the Manchester United success story - and how the past might offer up the key to the future at Old Trafford.

Sujets

• Lancashire
• Lancastre

Informations

• Publié par: Pitch Publishing Ltd
• Date de parution: 01 octobre 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781909178328
• Langue: English

Extrait

DEDICATION
To Coral, Finlay, Mia and Zara
First published by Pitch Publishing 2012
Pitch Publishing A2 Yeoman Gate Yeoman Way Durrington BN13 3QZ www.pitchpublishing.co.uk
© Paul Smith, 2012
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of the Publisher.
ISBN 978-1-909178-32-8
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Contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Photos
Acknowledgements
S O MANY stories to tell, so many people to thank. A number of people lent their time and expertise to help me along the way as I negotiated my path through Shadow of the Knight , from lending advice to adding their anecdotes about life alongside Sir Alex Ferguson. Former players including Willie Garner, Neale Cooper, Charlie Nicholas and Neil Cooper were good enough to recall their experiences while one of his Pittodrie successors, Alex Smith, did likewise to paint a picture of the challenges facing all who have followed in Ferguson’s footsteps. Duncan Shearer, a one-time Ferguson trialist and later a Pittodrie goalscoring legend, also provided his unique insight.
From Alex Donohue and Mark Young, two men of the turf, to journalist colleagues Jim Dolan, Phil Rostron and Arthur McTague, I was fortunate to have many friends to call upon. Paul and Jane Camillin at Pitch Publishing had the faith in the concept initially and the drive to follow it through to fruition, while closer to home the love and support of Team Smith – Coral, Finlay, Mia and baby Zara – never ceases to amaze and delight.
My heartfelt thanks go to all those mentioned above and the many others behind the scenes who helped along the way.
Introduction
T HERE ARE very few individuals in football who could be classed as irreplaceable. Players come and players go, even those who displayed unabashed genius at their peak have a shelf life. George Best and Bobby Charlton at Manchester United, or more recently Roy Keane and David Beckham, all at one stage or other gave the impression the world would stop turning if they were not in a red shirt. They moved on, life moved on and the world kept turning. Memories will never be erased, but there will always be a new generation ready to make their mark and ease the pain of separation.
But what about the manager? Sir Alex Ferguson has been Manchester United for more than 25 years, the beating heart of one of the greatest clubs on the planet. From the smallest detail to the biggest signings, the influence of the man at the top spreads from the very top to the very bottom at Old Trafford and the training centre at Carrington.
It will be impossible to replace that, in a way that the club has never encountered before and never will again. No matter who walks through the front door to pick up the baton when Ferguson eventually calls time on his life and times at United, they will simply not be able to exert the same authority. The reason, quite simply, is time.
Over more than quarter of a century the football club has been moulded around Ferguson. It is his vision and his determination that has seen it become a giant both on and off the park. The next incumbent will be able to build a team, but the hard work in building the club to its position as a global brand has already been done.
But the manager will have to be replaced and his team and his club will have to move on. Managing that transition will be the toughest process anyone at Manchester United has gone through in modern times, certainly since the last new boss arrived in 1986 to embark upon his adventure in English football.
Then, the only way was up for a major team in need of major success to match its status. Today, the opposite is true – exceeding the standards and success of the incumbent regime will be a tall order.
There will be no shortage of volunteers though, enticed by the prospect of working with the ingredients so painstakingly gathered by Ferguson. He will, eventually, leave behind a squad with the exuberance of youth and the enormous benefit of experience in almost equal measure. It is a recipe he has proved so adept at creating throughout his managerial career.
When the dust settles on an incredible career at the top level, the legacy will stretch far beyond the confines of Old Trafford. The reach of Sir Alex is long, with his influence evident in all corners of Britain and on foreign shores through his work with so many people in every sphere. From the man back in Aberdeen who pioneered video analysis, to the high-profile coaches who have leapt from United to the international scene, the net can be spread wide.
Shadow of the Knight examines the task facing those at Old Trafford as they consider the next step. Appointing his successor would be akin to negotiating a minefield for the Old Trafford board while for the chosen man it represents an incredible challenge. The bookmakers already have an idea of which direction the power brokers will turn, while Sir Alex himself has made his views known about the type of character required.
The Damned United famously played out the perils of following in the footsteps of a powerful and successful manager steeped in the heritage of a club. Who will be the Brian Clough to Old Trafford’s equivalent of Don Revie? Opinions vary, but familiar names are often repeated.
Perhaps they will surprise us by looking closer to home. There are candidates at Old Trafford and recently departed who would offer continuity, but it would represent a risk.
After all, not all of Ferguson’s proteges have gone on to replicate his success despite tutelage by the master.
Whoever is chosen, they will have to live with the presence of a legend. Ferguson can be seen as stubborn – but equally as a genius. He will cast a shadow over United long after he has retired, the trick will be in ensuring the influence is used positively.
That is something Aberdeen have struggled to do in the decades since their most famous boss moved south. By looking at the experiences at Pittodrie, on and off the park, since 1986 it is possible to draw parallels between then and now in the context of the bitter experiences of the past quarter of a century and the way in which a succession of highly qualified men have struggled to break free from the comparisons with the Fergie years.
Incredibly it is almost 20 years since the Dons last won a trophy of any description. That coincides with Ferguson’s absence, save for a handful of sporadic triumphs in the years after his departure.
The big question in the north-east of Scotland, an area he inspired with years of football success never seen before or since, is whether his legacy at Pittodrie was one of unrealistic expectation or a determination to strive for high standards.
Finding the players and manager capable of coping with that unique set of circumstances is something the Dons have struggled to do – presumably Manchester United, with the financial clout of a mega-club, will have less of an issue.
Trying to find someone with the same breadth of man-management skills will be the biggest challenge, to take charge of a dressing room full of strong characters.
Ferguson has thrived on getting the best out of some of the most complex individuals in football, never shirking a challenge.
Whether trying to shield David Beckham from the spotlight of superstardom or dealing with the Ryan Giggs meltdown, Ferguson learnt that aspect of his trade during his time at Pittodrie when he handled some equally controversial characters in less high profile surroundings.
From his fall-outs with Dons hero Joe Harper to run-ins with star man Steve Archibald, the lessons have been varied. That isn’t to say he has passed the test every time, whether in man-management or in the transfer market.
There have been slips along the way, worth highlighting and recounting in any account of an incredible career.
That career began in very different times to those we live in now and it has taken in too many individuals to mention. However, it is worth considering some of those who were left behind – either by choice or as a result of Ferguson’s ruthless pursuit of perfection. By tracking down some of those who fell by the wayside, I got a unique insight into the workings of the manager’s mind and the regrets some of those who encountered him have.
His former Aberdeen assistant manager Willie Garner now works in financial services, and another former Pittodrie right-hand man, Pat Stanton, retired soon after parting company in amicable fashion.
With that in mind, what does the future hold for the close allies at Old Trafford who will be cut free from the security of their revered former boss? Time will tell.
Similarly, by talking to those who played alongside him in his younger days, and those who played under him in his time as a rookie coach, it is easy to get a sense of the traits which have helped him along the way.
My own father played alongside Ferguson at Rangers and was encouraged by his friend to enter management. Both had success to different degrees, but one lasted the distance and went right the way to the top. The reasons for that are explored in the pages that follow. Ferguson was an ordinary man with a dream – the difference is he went out and lived it.
From the grittiest beginnings at humble Ea