SIR ALEX FERGUSON’S 26-year tenure of Manchester United made him one of the greatest managers of all time.
The Scot racked up a stunning 13 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues, five FA Cups and four League Cups.
So it’s no wonder that his leadership inspired many of his former players to go into management.
Michael Carrick is the latest of his ex-players to catch the eye in the dugout as Middlesbrough boss.
His side are just one match from Wembley after a 1-0 win over Chelsea in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg on Tuesday.
Here’s we take a look at those who tried to following in his footsteps – to varying degrees of success…
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Wayne Rooney
MANCHESTER UNITED’s all time record goalscorer is currently out of work after his disastrous spell with Birmingham.
He was controversially given the job in October when the club’s new American owners sacked John Eustace despite being in the play-off places.
However, after winning just two of 15 matches in charge, and the Blues dropping to 20th, Rooney was sacked following the New Year’s Day loss to Leeds.
Michael Carrick
ANOTHER one of Fergie’s disciples managing in the Championship at Middlesbrough – Carrick is known for his brand of attacking football.
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He narrowly missed out on guiding Middlesbrough to the Premier League last season when he took them to the play-offs despite the club being 21st when he took over in late October.
This season, he has overseen a fairytale Carabao Cup run that has left Boro on the brink of a first final in 20 years.
His side take a 1-0 advantage to Stamford Bridge for the second leg on January 23 as they eye a place at Wembley next month.
Ruud van Nistelrooy
VAN NISTELROOY had an excellent spell in charge of PSV last season, guiding them to a Dutch Cup victory and finishing second in the league.
But he resigned in the summer, citing a lack of support from the board over transfers.
Prior to that he’d worked as an assistant for the Dutch national team having retired from playing back in 2012.
Gabriel Heinze
THE former left-back is something of a cult legend on the United terraces.
He was most recently the manager of Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina, where he started his career and has previously managed in the MLS for Atlanta United.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
ENJOYED three years in charge of United from 2018 until 2021 when he was sacked following a poor run of form.
Guided United to a Europa League final as well as a second placed finish – their joint highest finish in the league since Ferguson’s departure in 2013.
History is beginning to look back more kindly on Solskjaer’s tenure given the club’s current struggles under Erik ten Hag.
Gary Neville
A STALWART of Fergue’s defence, Neville’s foray into management was less fruitful.
He won just three of his sixteen league games after surprisingly being made Valencia manager in the 2015-16 season.
He made a rapid return to punditry following his dismissal.
Phil Neville
HAD a semi-successful spell in charge of England’s women team between 2018 and 2021 which ended in dismissal following a run of seven defeats in 11 games.
His successor Sarina Wiegman took the side to Euro 2022 glory and the 2023 World Cup final.
Was sacked by David Beckham’s Inter Miami in June but now has another MLS management role as the coach of the Portland Timbers.
Ryan Giggs
HAD a spell as player-manager of Manchester United following David Moyes’ dismissal in 2014.
Took over Wales in 2018 but stepped down in June 2022 after he faced trial over allegations of using controlling behaviour and assaulting his ex-girlfriend.
Giggs was cleared of domestic abuse allegations.
He was also cleared of attacking her sister Emma Greville on the same date and controlling or coercive behaviour against Kate over a three-year period.
The 50-year-old was recently linked with the vacant Salford job before Karl Robinson’s appointment as manager.
David Healy
MADE just one league appearance under Fergie after coming through the academy.
Healy has won five Northern Irish championships and two Northern Irish cups with Linfield.
Michael Appleton
APPLETON came through the United academy and was limited to cup appearances for the Red Devils between 1994 and 1997.
He is currently in charge of Charlton Athletic in League One.
Has also enjoyed spells at Portsmouth, Blackpool, Blackburn, Oxford, Leicester and Lincoln.
Mark Robins
ROBINS is widely credited with the goal that saved Fergie’s job in a 1-0 FA Cup victory over Nottingham Forest in 1990.
Led Coventry to the brink of the Premier League last season, where they lost in the play-off final to Luton on penalties.
Also been in charge of Rotherham, Barnsley, Huddersfield and Scunthorpe.
Laurent Blanc
ARRIVED as a 35-year old veteran at United in 2001 having won the World Cup and Euros with France.
Had a decent start to life as a manager with spells in charge of France and PSG, winning the league three times with the latter.
But the manager has lost his way recently, and was most recently sacked by Lyon in September.
Mark Hughes
A STALWART of mid-2000s Barclays, Hughes enjoyed good spells in charge of Wales, Blackburn and Fulham.
He was Manchester City boss in 2008 when the club were taken over by Sheikh Mansour but was dispatched soon after.
His career has dwindled over the last decade and he was most recently sacked by League Two Bradford City.
Steve Bruce
ANOTHER manager who suffered at the hands of a takeover – Bruce was sacked by Newcastle shortly after they were bought by Saudi Arabia.
An unhappy period as West Brom manager followed on from that.
Has gone on record saying he would be interested in taking the Ireland job.
Darren Ferguson
FOLLOWED his father’s footsteps into management after spending four years in the United first-team.
Currently on his fourth stint as Peterborough manager.
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Jaap Stam
CURRENTLY out of work after most recently managing Cincinnati in the MLS in 2021.
The former defensive colossus, who famously had a huge fall-out with Fergie and was sold to Lazio, previously managed Reading in the Championship.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
