SIR ALEX FERGUSON wrote heartbreaking ‘goodbye letters’ to his family after his terrifying brain haemorrhage.
It is three years since the legendary Manchester United manager fought for his life in hospital after undergoing emergency surgery.
The 79-year-old would admit he was handed just a 20 per cent chance of survival in an upcoming documentary ‘Never Give In’, that airs later this month.
Ferguson prepared for the worst with the possibility of leaving behind his beloved wife Cathy, his three sons, and grandchildren.
In an interview with the Guardian, son Jason revealed: “He’d written to my mum, to me, my brothers and all his grandchildren.
“They were, basically, goodbye letters.”
Ferguson’s biggest fear was losing his memory – including the triumphs that made him Britain’s most successful ever manager.
Fortunately, that wasn’t the case but he was left wondering whether he would be able to speak again after losing his voice for ten days after the operation.
Fergie added: “That was a big worry for me.
“It happened after the operation when I lost my voice.
“That was the most frightening part. I knew I was alive but, on my own, I started thinking: ‘I wonder if they’re telling me the truth?’
“The operation was a success but you’re in that loneliness. It can be frightening. When I lost my voice I thought: ‘They never told me this [might happen].’
“But the speech therapist came in every day and she was phenomenal.
“She had me writing down all the names of my family and my players.
“Then she started on animals, fish and birds to see if I could remember the names. Gradually my voice came back.
“But the more important thing was my memory was OK. She got me writing letters. I wrote a letter to Cathy which, at that point, was a scribble.”
The documentary ‘Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In’ is directed by his son Jason and is out in cinemas from May 27.
The documentary vows to show the football legend vividly recalling his career – recounting the stories behind his most influential defeats, trophies and players.
Under Ferguson’s guidance, Manchester United won a glittering array of trophies, including 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups and two UEFA Champions League titles.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
