The Succession …
Celebrations marking Sir Alex Ferguson’s 20 years of power at Old Trafford have been used by the manager to underline his intention to continue as United boss.
“I will carry on and keep working because I enjoy working and that is the important thing,” Sir Alex confirmed. “I just think it is scandalous that people are saying it is time for me to retire because it is none of their bloody business!
“It disgusts me that some people think in that way. I’m going to continue working and carry on doing the job I love. People have said I should retire but I don’t think they’ve got a right. I want to work and I’ll continue to do so.”
A track record of success has made Ferguson’s position almost unassailable. Yet it is three years since United last won the Premiership. Indeed, most commentators had Sir Alex hanging on by his finger-nails just one year ago, following some lacklustre team performances and a disappointing European campaign. United’s owner, the Glazer family, was careful not to let slip any public criticism of the manager but few believed that a continued lack of success would go unaddressed.
Ferguson has since used all of his famed powers to transform United’s fortunes and has restored his legitimacy in the eyes of many a wavering fan.
Nevertheless, it came as something of a surprise to hear Ferguson in such bullish form about his future and so determined that he would remain as United’s manager. By ruling out retirement for the foreseeable future so firmly, Ferguson may have sought to put an end to the whispers and rumours primed to explode at the year’s end when he becomes of pensionable age.
It remains curious too that barely an eyebrow was raised when Ferguson asserted that retirement would be no-one’s business but his own. The Daily Mirror’s Oliver Holt and the odd mischief-maker from the Guardian newspaper, are somewhat isolated standard bearers now for the ‘Fergie Must Go’ movement which had gathered such momentum last winter. Perhaps this is the result of grudging respect for the manner in which Ferguson has transformed his team into genuine title contenders. More likely, it is the reasoned response to the lack of a credible alternative.
Jose Mourinho and, whisper it softly, Arsene Wenger, would be the genuine domestic heavyweights under consideration should any vacancy arise at Old Trafford. Both would have few difficulties working in Ferguson’s mammoth shadow but are almost certainly out of United’s reach for financial and emotional reasons. Further afield, Marcello Lippi has a CV that would make even Ferguson red with envy but his advancing years would make him only a stop-gap caretaker.
Coach Carlos Queiroz’s close relationship with Sir Alex might make him the ‘continuity’ favourite for the post. Queiroz, a well-travelled polyglot, saw his stock rise when coaching United to the title in 2003. A switch to Real Madrid followed but in the mayhem of the Galactico’s meltdown, he was lost and was happy to return to Old Trafford. Since then, Queiroz, an astute coach, has become the target of disgruntled fans unhappy with United’s adoption of a defensive style of play and has received little credit for the team’s turn-around over the past year. The coach might have dressing room support if Ferguson were to leave but he would be unpopular with a wide section of the fans.
United legend Mark Hughes would have no such problem. The former United striker has spent the past two years perfecting the art of the riddle in response to dreary questions about his desire for the Old Trafford manager’s job. A successful stint as Wales manager has been followed by a solid debut at Blackburn. Qualifying for Europe has burnished his credentials and a good campaign will garner even more attention.
Blackburn have valuable players in Brad Friedel and Benni McCarthy but without the largesse of a latter day ‘Uncle Jack,’ the club might have to be content with being a leading light of the Premiership’s chasing pack. That is no good for Sparky’s chances of taking over at United. It is unlikely that a club £660 million in debt would be entrusted to a manager lacking silverware on his resumé.
Last December, when Ferguson was at his lowest ebb in two decades, Paul Le Guen seemed ready-made for a step-up to the Premiership. The relatively young Frenchman had maintained Lyon’s mastery of the French league and before leaving the champions, had moulded a formidable unit able to compete at Champions league level. Le Guen proved too that he could develop talents such as Juninho, Essien and Diarra and possessed a Wenger-esque contacts book, which made him all the more appealing in some eyes.
Le Guen quit Lyon for a sabbatical year studying football. There were frequent rumours that he was headed for a big job in England but with the top four clubs managed by men with considerably better professional records, Le Guen took over the reins at Rangers with a brief to return the club to winning ways. After just three months in post, Rangers are a crippling 15 points behind the leaders Celtic and have won just four league matches. As a consequence, Le Guen has lost some of his former sheen.
If Le Guen fails to rescue his reputation at Rangers and Frank Rijkaard cannot be persuaded to swap Catalonia for Salford, then the inspirational Martin O’Neill, will be the likely front runner should Ferguson step down within the next two years. For so long the prince across the water, O’Neill has impressed many with his speedy revival of Aston Villa. With the Midlands club delivered from the stranglehold of ‘Deadly’ Doug Ellis into the embrace of American multi-millionaire Randy Lerner, O’Neill now has the financial might to turn the sleeping giant into a real Premiership force. Would he be interested in an indebted United in turmoil at the end of the Ferguson era?
The succession question is purely academic with Sir Alex in robust shape and United top at home and abroad. But a string of bad results or near misses, or God forbid, a heart scare and United’s post-Ferguson future will return to the top of the agenda once again. As it stands now, O’Neill would be the early favourite, being a Premiership manager of real stature. But if he refused the invitation for personal reasons or because the desire to finish the job at Villa was greater than the emotional pull of ruling the roost at Old Trafford, to whom would United turn? AU
© Copyright: Absolutely United 2006
