La end of an era. There is still no official confirmation, but it is now certain that the duo Manchester United Sir Alex Ferguson will dissolve at the end of the season. A decision that is causing a stir, not so much for the actual usefulness of the former Scottish coach in his role as ambassador, but for what his legendary figure represents. Sir Alex, in fact, is well beyond the simple figure of a flag, as demonstrated by his 38 years of service with United, first as a coach and then, indeed, as an advisor.
Ratcliffe fires Ferguson after nearly 40 years at Manchester United
The choice was made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, owner of theIneos Chemical Company e minority shareholder of the Red Devils, considered the richest man in the United Kingdom with a net worth estimated by Forbes at $22,9 billion. TheBritish entrepreneur, who joined United at the end of 2023 with 25%, has started a major internal reorganization, aimed first and foremost at saving. Sports spending, moreover without obtaining any kind of result (Manchester occupies a terrible 14th place in the Premier League, 10 points behind leaders Liverpool), continues to be rather high (214 million were invested in Zirkzee, De Ligt, Mazraoui, Yoro and Ugarte in the summer), while the internal sector is undergoing cuts and downsizing. And so the 2,6 million per season earned by Ferguson they suddenly became too many, to the point of inducing Ratcliffe to fire him, all with the consent of the Glazer family, not surprisingly hated by Mancunian fans.
The Legend of Sir Alex: 38 Trophies in 27 Years
A mere economic question (and rather irrelevant, given the figures involved) marks the end of a living legend like Alexander Chapman Ferguson, named “Sir” in 1999 by Queen Elizabeth II and the protagonist of a career that is simply without equal. An epic that began in 1986, even if the first trophy It only came after three and a half years with the 1990 FA Cup. From then on the Scottish manager never stopped, conquering 13 Premier League (all-time record), 4 more FA Cups, 4 League Cups, 10 Community Shields, 2 Champions League, 2 European Super Cups, 1 Cup Winners' Cup, 1 Intercontinental Cup, 1 Club World Cup, as well as several individual titles. In 2013, at the age of 72, decided to to withdraw from the role of managers and Manchester United has practically never won anything again: the last Premier League bears his signature (2012/13 season), after which it has been a succession of coaches without much luck. The role of ambassador covered in the last 11 years, evidently, has been more of a facade than anything else, but no one would have ever thought of witnessing his dismissal, in the belief that someone like that, even just out of respect, cannot be put on the same level as a "normal" employee.
Cantona leads the revolt: “Scandalous lack of respect”
Needless to say, the news, which spread like wildfire despite the absence of official announcements, has aroused concern.indignation of the United people, starting with the great champions who shared the locker room with him. Above all Eric Cantona, over the top just like when he played (memorable the kick to a Crystal Palace fan who had insulted him from the stands). “Sir Alex Ferguson should be able to do whatever he wants at the club until he dies – growled The King -. What a lack of respect, it's absolutely scandalous. Sir Alex Ferguson will be my boss forever! I would throw them all in a sack of s…!”. The Frenchman's outburst most likely anticipates what will happen at Old Trafford next Saturday, when Ten Haag's Manchester United will host Brentford for the match between the 14th (United) and the 11th in the standings. All this under the eyes of Sir Alex, determined to take his place in the stands as long as they allow it.
