11 Things You Didn’t Know About Alex Ferguson.

Born 31 December 1941 (age 78 years), in Govan, Glasgow, United Kingdom, Alexander Chapman Ferguson is a Scottish former football manager and player. He is considered one of the greatest football managers of all time and he has won more trophies than any other manager in the history of football. Alex Ferguson has been a coach in Manchester United F.C. (Association football manager), from 1986–2013 and has gotten several awards including, BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award, among others. Sir Alex was an inspiration to millions. His ‘never give up’ attitude was what kept him going for 26 long seasons at Manchester United’s top job. Here are 11 things you didn’t know about Sir Alex Ferguson. 

1.  Just a simple boy from a poor area.

He even used to jump over walls as a boy. He grew up in a poor area of Glasgow where there wasn’t much to do apart from play football, fight and jump over walls, known as dykes. 

2. He missed only three matches in his 26 years as United’s manager.

Nothing was ever the priority to Sir Alex over Manchester United. he missed only 3 matches over his 26 years spell at the club, as United’s manager. He once had to leave for his son’s wedding, another for the funeral of his brother’s wife’s and the last one for scouting David de Gea in Spain. Even today, the legend attends almost all the matches played by Man Utd.

3. Ferguson won 49 trophies as a manager.

Sir Alex had an illustrious spell in England and won everything possible at the club level. Be it a treble, English doubles or Inter-continent trophies, the man has all to show for in his achievements tab. English titles were something which never came at a premium for him. Of course, he had 13 such medals to show-off. He won a total of 49 trophies while in management of which 38 came with Manchester United. The statement itself tells the volumes of his ability as a manager. However, the perfect figure of 50 still evaded him. Nevertheless, he won quite a trophy cabinet.

4. He was banned from the touchline 17 times.

Sir Alex was a furious figure on the touchline who demanded the best not only from his players but also the match officials. He often used to get involved with them which resulted in severe fines and bans for him. In total, the legendary manager was banned 17 times from the touchline. FA had charged the former United boss on numerous occasions as he was a person who easily lost his temper in the technical area. The man had some temperament.

5. He is an Author.

Apart from his success as a manager, Fergie is also an author and wrote a book on his first seven years at Aberdeen. It was called ‘A Night In The North’.

6. Once ran a pub.

Ferguson has worked outside football, starting out as an apprentice toolmaker and shop steward in Glasgow and much later running a pub that he renamed Fergie’s with a downstairs bar named the Elbow Room in memory of his physical style as a player.

7. He’ll never forgive Victoria Beckham.

Ferguson spoke nostalgically of the 12-year-old David Beckham he first knew. “He always had a lovely smile, you know. His great desire was to do the best.” Yet he cannot bring himself to name the most famous footballer’s wife on the planet “And then of course his life changed when he married the girl from…” (“The Spice Girls,”) “Yes. And his focus changed. He got drawn into that celebrity status, you know. Clearly he blamed Victoria for David’s shifted focus. 11 things you didnt know about david beckham

8. His net worth.

Ferguson’s net worth is estimated to be around $50 million as of 2020, which he managed to earn during his years of management at Manchester United and Aberdeen. Retired now, he does not receive any payment for his services as a football manager. He is even considered to be the richest football manager in Britain.

9. Handling the Media.

Sir Alex is brilliant at handling the media. You probably wouldn’t get many to say they like him, because he can be brusque and abrasive. He was also not about using the media to manipulate the opposition, officials or whoever. However, at his best he is very good. He is fairly straightforward. One of his great qualities is that he would give his players media experience and trusts them not to let the club down. 

10. Quite the family man.

He is married and is over 50 years in marriage. He has been married to Cathy Ferguson since 1966 with no cheating or affair scandals unlike other celebrities. They have three sons including twins and 11 grandchildren. His children are Darren Ferguson, Jason Ferguson, Mark Ferguson. Ferguson lives together with his family in a mansion in Wilmslow, Cheshire. Their home is called Fairfields after the shipyard where his father worked. 

11. Managing His Personal Life.

One of the things that has helped Sir Alex’s longevity is that he has a life outside football. Most people know about his love of horse racing. The rock in his own life is his wife Cathy. Like his own mother, she brings great strength, support and love to the Ferguson family. He is generous with his resources and with himself. You don’t have to like him to respect him. Both his longevity as a manager and his breadth of qualities give a wealth of learning opportunities for aspiring or even established managers. Whatever happens from hereon, he will remain one of the greatest managers of all time in global football.