Sir Alex Ferguson

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Lore & Background

Ferguson's managerial career began with East Stirlingshire in June 1974, a part-time job paying £40 per week where the club did not have a single goalkeeper. He gained a reputation as a disciplinarian, with club forward Bobby McCulley later saying he had "never been afraid of anyone before but Ferguson was a frightening bastard from the start." In October 1974, he moved to St Mirren, transforming a team in the lower half of the old Second Division into First Division champions in 1977, with an average age of 19. St Mirren is the only club ever to sack Ferguson; he claimed wrongful dismissal at an industrial tribunal but lost. The tribunal concluded he was "particularly petty" and "immature."

In Their Own Story

Ferguson was born on 31 December 1941 in the Govan district of Glasgow, the son of Elizabeth and Alexander Beaton Ferguson. He grew up in a tenement at 667 Govan Road, attending Broomloan Road Primary School and later Govan High School. He began his football career with Harmony Row Boys Club before progressing to Drumchapel Amateurs. He also took an apprenticeship as a toolmaker at a factory in Hillington, being appointed a union shop steward. His playing career began as an amateur with Queen's Park, where he made his debut as a striker aged 16, scoring in a 2–1 defeat against Stranraer. He later played for St Johnstone, Dunfermline Athletic, Rangers, Falkirk, and Ayr United, finishing his playing career in 1974.

Reader's Guide

Ferguson was appointed manager of Manchester United in November 1986. During his 26 years with Manchester United, he won 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, and two UEFA Champions League titles, in 1999, which completed the first continental treble by an English club, and in 2008. He was knighted in the 1999 Queen's Birthday Honours list for his services to the game. He is the longest-serving manager of Manchester United, having overtaken Sir Matt Busby's record on 19 December 2010. He retired from management at the end of the 2012–13 season, having won the Premier League in his final season.

Did You Know?

• Ferguson was born on 31 December 1941 at his grandmother's home on Shieldhall Road in the Govan district of Glasgow.
• While playing for Dunfermline, he was the top goalscorer in the Scottish league during the 1965–66 season with 31 goals.
• He was sacked by St Mirren, the only club ever to sack him; an industrial tribunal concluded he was 'particularly petty' and 'immature'.
• Ferguson was knighted in the 1999 Queen's Birthday Honours list for his services to the game.
• He is the longest-serving manager of Manchester United, having overtaken Sir Matt Busby's record on 19 December 2010.

The Aberdeen Revolution

Before achieving global fame with Manchester United, Ferguson enjoyed a highly successful period as manager of Aberdeen, winning three Scottish league championships, four Scottish Cups and both the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and the UEFA Super Cup in 1983. He briefly managed Scotland following the death of Jock Stein, taking the team to the 1986 World Cup.

The Manchester United Dynasty

Appointed manager of Manchester United in November 1986, Ferguson embarked on a twenty-six-year tenure. During his 26 years with Manchester United, he won 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, and two UEFA Champions League titles, in 1999, which completed the first continental treble by an English club, and in 2008. He is the longest-serving manager of Manchester United, having overtaken Sir Matt Busby's record on 19 December 2010. He retired from management at the end of the 2012–13 season, having won the Premier League in his final season.

The Class of '92 and Youth Philosophy

Ferguson is often credited for valuing youth during his time at Manchester United, particularly in the 1990s with the "Class of '92", who contributed to making the club one of the most successful in the world.

From Player to Knight

Ferguson played as a forward for several Scottish clubs, including Dunfermline Athletic and Rangers, and was a Scottish international, earning four caps. While playing for Dunfermline, he was the top goalscorer in the Scottish league during the 1965–66 season. He was knighted in the 1999 Queen's Birthday Honours list for his services to the game. He was among the inaugural inductees into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2002, and the Scottish Football Hall of Fame in 2004.