Fergie Says Farewell To Old Trafford – What Next For United?

Unless you’ve been unconscious for the past four hours you may have noticed that the greatest manager in the history of association football has decided to give City and Chelsea a chance next season. 

Sir Alex Ferguson’s been the main reason for our dominance in English football, but after a glorious 27-year-spell as Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson has announced that he’s going to retire at the end of the season. He’s won 38 trophies during his time in the Old Trafford hotseat, while his success has helped United to become one of the most valuable brands in world sport.

As well as blooding youngsters including David Beckham and Ryan Giggs, he helped to turn the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Rio Ferdinand, both big-money signings, into bankable superstars. His record of getting the best out of promising youngsters and superstars in the making was unrivalled, as was his success at home and in Europe.
The best ever?

Sir Alex is one of only three British managers to lift the Champions League (European Cup) more than once. Overseeing the amazing comeback victory over Bayern Munich in the 1999 final was arguably his finest moment, while winning his first league title with the club in the 1992-93 season was also great, as it helped to start a dominant era for the Reds.
No other manager has won more trophies in England, which begs the question of whether he’s the best manager of all time. Many United fans would answer ‘yes’, while many pundits, players and fellow bosses would probably say the same, as no-one’s come close to winning as much as he has.

The bookie’s favourite to succeed Sir Alex is overwhelmingly David Moyes who’s eleven year career at Everton is alleged to have convinced the Old Trafford hierarchy of his ability to take over the United hot seat. Moyes may not have won any trophies but he’s kept the Toffees competitive in the top half of the Premier League with a budget most Championship managers would be unhappy with.

The media has been awash with pundits and experts noting the similarities between Sir Alex and Moyes – which tend to consist mainly of the fact they’re both from Glasgow. While Moyes may share the same cold Scottish blood as the United boss, in terms of careers it’s actually a German who’s the more similar.

Jurgen Klopp’s tenure at Dortmund, can easily be compared to Ferguson’s at Aberdeen, breaking the stranglehold of more fancied favourites to claim the title and experience success in Europe- albeit Klopp hasn’t won anything yet, he’s still made the final.

Klopp as Sir Alex did at Pittodrie has made an unfancied side not just one of the top teams in their country but also Europe, playing the sort of football that demands respect and even admiration. David Moyes has done a fine job at Everton even gatecrashing the top four one season in 2004/05 but when it comes to trophies and success other than a solitary League Two winners medal, the cupboard is bare. Then there’s Europe, Moyes has played two games in the Champions League, losing both to Villareal -although Toffee fans will argue referee Pierluigi Collina had a big hand in that. Klopp on the other hand has led his side to a Champions League final, playing some sumptuous football along the way- just ask Manchester City.

One area Moyes does surpass his German counterpart in, is the Premier League, as the Everton manager knows it as well as almost anyone while Klopp has no experience of it whatsoever- unless you count a trip to the Etihad. It’s foolish to ignore Moyes knowledge of the Premiership, something that may well have sealed the deal in his favour over other more glamorous candidates.

Yes way Jose?

The most pressing need for the powers that be at United now is to find someone to fill Fergie’s boots. Jose Mourinho, unhappy at Real Madrid, is one likely candidate, although he could be moving to Chelsea instead. Whoever’s interested in joining, an appointment is needed to calm the markets, where the Reds’ next move is seen as key to their future fortunes on and off the pitch.