The Loyalty Card …
In the debate over Sir Alex Ferguson’s future, the issue of loyalty is always sure to divide.
Ferguson’s most ardent supporters claim he deserves complete devotion because of an incomparable record of achievement. Others argue a greater commitment to the future of the club that allows for no misty-eyed sentimentality.The argument is ugly and highly-charged, as United web sites and fanzine forums reveal weekly. The question remains however, as to where the truth lies. Blind, unswerving commitment to Sir Alex continued stewardship of United is admirable. Few men have what he has demonstrated on a daily basis for the past twenty years – the ability to win 19 trophies, courage, stamina, perseverance and an absolute dedication to Manchester United and to success in the original impossible job. Ferguson’s most impressive achievement is to have remade the legend of United started by Busby.
Fans weaned on a decade of trophies are right to fear for the future after Sir Alex has moved on. Those with longer memories can well remember the false dawn of Dave Sexton and the two steps forward, three steps back of Mr Bojangles.
Stick with what has been successful, goes the mantra, especially given the dearth of obvious rival candidates. Hiddink would do a good job but is perhaps too old. Paul Le Guen too, looks terrific on paper. He took over Jacques Santini’s championship winning Lyon side and made it better. He’s young, knows the capitals of Africa where the greats of the future are likely to be found and has shown that he can work within a modest budget. However, Le Guen has not won a European trophy and in any case, has signed to manage Rangers.
So that’s it. An open an shut case right, for keeping Ferguson in the OT hot seat for the two years he says are needed to make United title contenders?
Wrong! Such logic suggests Ferguson could go on and on. Is that what Fergie loyalists want? At what point does the great man’s current achievements become more important that his past record? If Fergie is allowed to choose the time of his departure, as his allies, friends and rivals like Wenger and Mourinho would hope, what would happen if he were to have Brian Clough-style ideas of longevity?
As in all walks of life, football is in constant flux. The relentless march of time demands constant re-evaluation. In a hard, cruel world, no-one can hang on to a job because of past accomplishments. And what is crueller or more vicious than the Premiership. The winner takes the spoils and the headlines whilst the loser takes a meeting with a career counsellor at the dole office.
Such arguments are the preserve of the so called ‘anti-Ferguson’ brigade, rashly derided as glory-hunters who vent their fury at any perceived slowing of the conveyor belt of success. Ferguson has won a title and two cups in the past five years. Sixteen Premiership managers would kill for such a record. Yet, his critics see the same period as an era of decline because United no longer live up to standards Ferguson himself established during his long reign of glittering success.
Criticism of Ferguson would melt away were he able to deliver what appeared effortless a decade ago – a United with a confirmed, coherent playing style, intelligent team selections, a resolution to attack and entertain and the mental right stuff needed to take on the best and win. With this recipe, Ferguson scaled new heights. The United teams of 1993, 1996 and 1999 were his greatest moments but also the albatross around his neck. After the thrills of yesteryear, how could fans accept the limp, colourless version now on offer in 2006?
Yes, Sir Alex spoilt us all. That some fans now blame him for the team’s poor form and talk of retirement is nothing like the treason of which they are accused because Sir Alex himself says the current team is not good enough and asks for more time to improve it.
Fergie’s ‘trust me to get it right’ however, is an old tune and less charming with each repetition. One Carling Cup victory does not a good season make! With the extra time he has earned, Fergie needs to produce a winning team, which plays in the United way and improves year on year. Even that might not be enough to bring the title home but it would certainly quieten the dissidents.
Perhaps, all of this is a tall order. Definitely two, maybe three midfield players need to be signed in the summer. Chelsea will spend big again, with Bayern’s Ballack almost a done deal, thus observing the maxim that winners strengthen whilst on top. Fergie’s apparent forgetfulness of a benchmark he established in the 1990’s explains why the current midfield is so threadbare.
United are saddled with a crippling debt and would appear to have nothing in reserve apart from Rossi to compare with the class of 1992. Worse, Fergie may soon find himself in an auction with Arsenal for the beefy central midfielders the team needs to start closing the 15 point gap with Chelsea.
Well done Sir Alex for winning a trophy this season. Now let the real hard work begin. AU
© Copyright: Absolutely United 2006
