AFTER Manchester United had marched to another Premier League title, Sir Alex Ferguson took to the microphone and addressed the crowd.
They had come to expect these rituals every May, as silverware was held aloft.
But on this occasion he wanted them to know that this was not a foregone conclusion.
That winning these titles was hard, it took a lot of work, it was not just about turning up and letting it all happen.
Perhaps he was feeling people simply did not appreciate what it took and wanted them to know.
Perhaps it is only now in the last eight years, and as the great man turns 80 today, that people really comprehend what a phenomenal job he did.
Look at those who have tried to emulate his feats in winning 13 titles and two European Cups.
David Moyes was Ferguson’s ‘Chosen One’, picked in the belief that he would stick to the traditions of the club and keep the trophies coming.
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He aged ten years and was gone in ten months.
Louis van Gaal — and he will probably tell you this himself — was regarded as one of the greatest coaches of his generation.
He promptly bored Old Trafford into a deep sleep, picked up one FA Cup and was gone.
Next was serial trophy winner Jose Mourinho — and he did put two in the cabinet while lifting the club to second in the table.
But after two-and-a-half years the expectation became even too much for him as he combusted.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took the wheel and guided the club back on to the right path but just did not have what it took to make the final turn.
It was heart-rending to witness the disappointment in his voice in that final interview after also being axed.
He felt he had come close but just could not do it and when it starts to unravel, it unravels very fast at United.
Good men, good coaches, backed with lots of cash, they have all tried but ultimately failed to emulate the greatest of all.
People expected the conveyor belt of titles to continue running post-Fergie.
The problem was the bloke with the instructions of how to work it had retired and the manual was in his head.
If his successors had continued his incredible feats then he would not have been that special after all — and he was.
Everyone will have their own favourite achievements but, for me, it came in his final years.
In three seasons from 2003 to 2006 United won one FA Cup and one League Cup.
In the league in 2003-04 they were third, some 15 points behind champions Arsenal.
In 2004-05 they were third again, this time 18 points behind top of the pile Chelsea, then in 2005-06 second and eight points behind the Blues.
Such a run would have done for his successors but he had credit in the bank and used it to rebuild United into champions again, claiming a hat-trick of titles from 2006, five out of the seven up to his retirement in 2013, a European Cup and two other finals.
That takes something special when people start to doubt you.
Goodness, he even delayed his retirement by a year so he could leave with that title in his hands after it was ripped away by Sergio Aguero.
There is another thing — the challenge of Manchester City that came at the end. Many moaned about their inordinate wealth after the Abu Dhabi takeover.
Sir Alex just saw it as another challenge, like Chelsea had been, like Arsenal had presented. Like Liverpool were right at the start, and he saw them all off.
He turned Manchester United into a global sporting monster.
The size of Old Trafford is a testament to his success.
Their global reach grew in his time and, yes, it was hard work.
The only time we ever really saw him vulnerable was in the film, directed by his son Jason, in which he charts the time back in May 2018 when he suffered a brain haemorrhage.
He beat that, too, and as he turns 80 today still looks as fit as someone 20 years younger.
Fergie once said that retirement is for the young. What he meant was you had to enjoy it, make the most of it, still be active.
Well he still very much is. Still kicking every ball at Old Trafford but from the directors’ box now.
He still loves matchday when he hosts guests in his own lounge.
Loves talking football, loves to be around his family.
The pipe, slippers and rug have never, and will NEVER be needed.
This man is something very different, very special.
Happy birthday, Sir Alex.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
