Lack of challengers means the irreplaceable Ferguson must go on

Matthew Syed on why Ferguson's time is up

Matt Hughes

Sir Alex Ferguson gave the strongest hint yet last weekend that he is considering staying at Manchester United beyond his 70th birthday, which, given the recent performances of his various protégés, is probably just as well.

Since taking charge of Portugal last summer Carlos Queiroz has done nothing to indicate that his previous disastrous experience of management with Real Madrid was an inaccurate reflection of his capabilities - just one win in four competitive matches against the might of Malta and a 6-2 thrashing at the hands of Brazil in their last outing is his terrible record.

While ex-United players Roy Keane, Paul Ince, Steve Bruce and to a lesser extent Mark Hughes are all struggling at the wrong end of the Barclays Premier League table.  So if Ferguson had a change of heart and suddenly decided to pack it in tomorrow then United would have little alternative but to look abroad, to the likes of Marcello Lippi or Carlo Ancelotti, or at least outside the club by taking a punt on the immense potential of Martin O’Neill.

In addition to winning an unprecedented ten Premier League titles and two European Cups, Ferguson is often credited with inspiring the next generation of managers, though not even he can pass on his Midas touch at will. Nor would he wish to. As Bryan Robson demonstrated in four generally unsuccessful spells at Middlesbrough, Bradford City, West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield United, being schooled by Ferguson is no guarantee of success.

The four acolytes currently working in the Premier League have all shown that they possess elements of their mentor’s strong personality and incredible will-to-win, but it takes more than that to succeed at the highest level. Money, judgement, luck, patience and above all time are all crucial ingredients, as Ferguson could confirm from bitter experience having come close to the sack on several occasions during the first five years of his reign at Old Trafford.

Keane’s relentless drive is perhaps closest to that of Ferguson, though it appears that the Sunderland manager has made the mistake of modelling himself on the intense, raging Fergie he first encountered 15 years ago, rather than the more laidback figure he has become with age. Keane’s standards are so exacting and his self-criticism so fierce, that he is almost bound to fail, and would do well to follow Ferguson’s examples by developing interests outside football, other than brooding walks with his dog.

Ince and Bruce are both paying the price for taking jobs at clubs of limited means who have consistently punched above their weight, but will benefit greatly from the experience if they stick it out. Bruce, in particular, has enhanced his reputation at Wigan Athletic by signing several talented players for modest fees and has enough to keep them in the Premier League, a prediction that cannot be made with the same degree of confidence about Blackburn Rovers.

Hughes’s problem is exactly the opposite, with Manchester City’s increased wealth giving their owners wildly unrealistic ambitions that he has no hope of matching. When one of the City players is castigating team-mates, who were playing in the Championship not so long ago, for lacking the mentality of champions, the manager clearly has real problems. Hughes should have no problem finding another Premier League club if he is shown the door at Eastlands next summer, though it is unlikely to be across the city at Old Trafford.

All of which demonstrates why United are desperate to keep hold of Ferguson for as long as possible, particularly as there are few obvious successors from overseas either. The most experienced Champions League managers of recent years are all disqualified on the grounds of currently working in England – Fabio Capello, Arsene Wenger and Rafael Benitez – while the likes of Lippi, Giovanni Trapattoni and Sven-Goran Eriksson belong to Ferguson’s generation. To compound matters Ancelotti has never worked outside Italy and Jose Mourinho is regarded as too much of a trouble-maker for many at Old Trafford.

At this rate Ferguson may have to keep going until he is 80.

Comments

[albert clayton]

i think there are several who could be considered, David Moyes.......imagine him with a reasonable budget ! Glen Hoddle is still yourng, then there is steve Coppell

plenty to ponder on i believe, perhaps bring them in as Sir Alex"s assistant for a year or two.

[AJ]

Please. Why is no-one listening. Take Roeder away. I don't care where you put him, just take him. He is a fool.

[????]

I'm not sure about mourinho, lost against panathianakos. But, he is still the man that could replace ferguson.

[Nick Dixon]

Roberto Mancini , great attacking coach , (something of a misnoma for Italian football) and has the class and culture required at Old Trafford . Failing that it would have to be Martin O' Neill , he has the bigger picture in mind whenever one of his teams take to the pitch , something SAF has always had .Either would be a brilliant replacement for SAF .

[Sveijk]

I would like to see the job offered to Wenger.
Brilliant football mind, and with the resources at ManU........man that would be interesting.

[Bill]

Did SAF play for United? Did Busby? Exactly, so why the sentimental obsession with ex-United players? United is now a multi-national corporation as well as an internationally famous and successful football club. The very idea that the Glaziers would allow sentiment to play any part in the managerial succession process is comical.

Personally I'd go for O'Neil if he wanted the job. He has a sustained record of success and over-achievement at every club he's worked and crucially he is still ambitious and has it all to prove at the very highest level - just like SAF when he joined. Plus O'Neil's team play the right way for United - unlike the self-appointed special one. Truth is though I think O'Neil is probably too savvy to take the job straight after SAF - especially if the Scot is kept on in some weird directorship or ambassadorial role - that would make it a poisoned chalice.

[bal somal]

Have to agree with this piece entirely. With Keane now gone from Sunderland there appears to be little chance of an ex player taking over.mourino is always looking for a fight and his tactics are too negative.step forward martin oneill who has shown he can handle a big club like villa,change tactics and adapt where necessary,handle and bring on youngsters and spend money sensibly.he has an aura and way that would bring great prestige to the club. Can't see United going down the road of foeign manager. It would take something away from the Utd essence.

[AJ]

Take Glenn Roeder off our hands. He is destroying the Canaries.