As a keen student of history, Alex Ferguson would be well aware of the attempts of various dictators to rewrite history.
While Ferguson is obviously not in the same league as these megalomaniacs, he could learn a thing or two from their hubris.
Joseph Stalin infamously airbrushed the influence of Leon Trotsky from The October Revolution, claiming that it was he, and not Trotsky, who was beside Vladimir Lenin’s side when the Bolshevik’s seized power in 1917.
In truth, neither men were present when Russia came under communist control, and it was Trotsky who organised the seizure of the Winter Palace in Moscow.
While in Kim Jong-il’s biography, it is claimed that the former North Korean dictator played just one game of golf, where he shot a 38-under par, with 11 holes in one. North Korea’s former Dear Leader apparently immediately decided to retire, having mastered the game.
People in positions of power re-write history, and this was evident again this week.
Of course, Ferguson wasn’t a dictator in the mould of the previously mentioned, but his attempt to re-write both the history of Manchester United, and the details behind the choice of his successor, is nearly as pathetic.
Firstly, in his new book Leading, Ferguson claimed that he’s only ever managed four world class players: Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 73-year-old conceded that managed other great players, but this quartet “elevated themselves above that.”
“They made the difference and the evidence is there.”
If Ferguson was to say these four players were the most talented he managed, then there’s an argument to be made he’d be justified in his assertion.
However, he says he’s basing his estimation on players making the difference in games, and because of that, there are some glaring admissions.
Giggs was a more talented footballer than Roy Keane, but who made more difference to United’s success during their respective time at the club?
Without any doubt, it’s Keane. The Corkman was the driving force behind United’s most successful period. During the treble season in 1998-99, Keane was the club’s most important player. Giggs was undoubtedly brilliant, but was arguably not even among United’s five best players that season.
Keane, David Beckham, Jaap Stam, Dwight Yorke, Paul Scholes and Andy Cole all outshine the winger that campaign. While none of these players, or Ferguson, would’ve been successful without Keane.
Was Cantona better than Ruud van Nistelrooy? The Frenchman was a more talented, all-round footballer, but not as prolific, which is ultimately what surely separates the great players from those at the top of the game.
While, at the other end of the pitch, it’s difficult to fathom not considering either Peter Schmeichel or Edwin van der Saar as world class. Both goalkeepers were vital components of their all-conquering teams.
Keane, Beckham and Van Nistelrooy all fell out with Ferguson, and perhaps this is just a further act of score-settling by the Scot.
One could argue that because all three players had successful, financially lucrative careers, they wouldn’t, or shouldn’t, care about Ferguson’s estimation. However, Steven Gerrard admitted recently that he is still affected by Ferguson’s claim in his previous book that he wasn’t a “top, top player.”
“I’d ask Alex Ferguson, ‘Do you really think that I am average?’,” Gerrard said when asked to come up with one question to ask anybody in sport.
This is how much weight Ferguson’s opinion carries.
Ferguson’s attempt to rewrite recent history is just as laughable.
The former United manager has washed his hands of any blame in David Moyes’ disastrous tenure. Ferguson has effectively said his successor was sixth choice to be United manager.
Ferguson had made an informal approach to Pep Guardiola, which amounted to the United manager asking the Spaniard to give him a call before he accepted another job.
Ferguson explained how United were landed with Moyes in his new book, pay attention to the use of the word “we.”
“When we started the process of looking for my replacement, we established that several very desirable candidates were unavailable. It became apparent that José Mourinho had given his word to Roman Abramovich that he would return to Chelsea, and that Carlo Ancelotti would succeed him at Real Madrid.”
“We also knew that Jürgen Klopp was happy at Borussia Dortmund and would be signing a new contract. Meantime, Louis van Gaal had undertaken to lead the Dutch attempt to win the 2014 World Cup.”
This is a clear attempt to rewrite history by the Scot. For a start, Mourinho only gave his word to Chelsea when he knew the United job was going to Moyes. And if United really wanted either Klopp or Ancelotti, they would’ve made an approach.
While even Van Gaal didn’t think The Netherlands were capable of winning the World Cup in 2013.
Ferguson makes it seem as though there was an actual process by the club to find his successor. That there were no-one else but Moyes. However, in reality, it was Ferguson’s choice and the United hierarchy trusted his judgement.
When else in his professional life did Alex Ferguson settle for second best, never-mind sixth best?
Ferguson chose Moyes because he saw something of himself in the younger man. He fetishised his own past and upbringing. Both were working class Glaswegians, who played for the same schoolboy team, went on to have modestly successful careers and entered coaching at an early age.
Ferguson also knew Moyes’ father, and family, and spoke highly of them, saying in his previous book: “I’m not saying that’s a reason to hire someone but you like to see good foundations in someone appointed to such high office.”
The term “high office” is enough to give away the ego trip Ferguson was on at this point in his career. He thought of himself as though he was a Prime Minister, or President and lost sight of what a successful manager.
“The Scotsman abroad doesn’t lack humour,” Ferguson writes. “David Moyes is not short of wit. In their jobs, though, the Scots are serious about their labours, an invaluable quality.”
He thought because Moyes enjoyed stability at Everton, that made him successful. When, in football, it’s success that brings stability.
Moyes was gone within a year, and despite imploring Manchester United fans all over the world to “stand by our new manager”, Ferguson reportedly wouldn’t answer phone calls from Moyes on the morning of his inevitable sacking.
Just as there’s no disputing Roy Keane was a world class player, there’s no way that Ferguson isn’t one of the greatest managers of all-time.
However, there comes a point when we should stop taking serious men so serious. Ferguson’s book may be of great help to business students, and managers, but his selective memory, and skewed judgement, means we should approach some of his utterances with a very critical eye.
His attempts to rewrite history does show what really made Ferguson successful: his ruthless nature, which doesn’t seem to have lessened, despite his the success, respect and status he has achieved.
