Tweet
Wenger and Sir Alex put on a new pals act at LMA gala dinner
By Ian Ladyman
Last updated at 12:59 AM on 20th September 2008
If Sky's Richard Keys is to be believed, then peace has finally broken out between Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and his Arsenal counterpart, Arsene Wenger.
Don’t bet on it lasting.
The two great managers of the modern English game sat together to take questions at a gala dinner to raise funds for the League Managers’ Association at Wembley on Thursday evening.
Arch-rivals Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger put their differences aside at a recent League Managers Association gala dinner
It was something of a feat to get them together.
Their mutual antipathy has been well documented.
Nevertheless, if the evening proved anything it was merely how different these two men really are.
Prompted by host Keys, each spoke generously about the other but, tellingly, both sets of eyes looked elsewhere during a ‘dug-out’ handshake at the end.
‘We share wine and dinner at coaching seminars in Geneva,’ said Ferguson.
‘With many battles has come respect,’ added Wenger.
More...
As anyone will tell you, respect and friendship are two different things.
Ferguson is an active LMA member while Wenger has never been trusted wholly by many coaches who still view the Frenchman as cold and aloof.
As such, his presence was all the more welcome.
Sitting back, Ferguson took on the role of lounge bar raconteur; garrulous and expansive.
Wenger, sitting forward with hands crossed, was more measured.
They agreed on many things.
Wenger (left) and Ferguson have not always seen eye to eye on the football field
Both spoke generously and passionately about the plight of unemployed managers and argued persuasively that clubs, especially lower down the leagues, should pay compensation more quickly and readily.
‘When you agree to be a manager you should start immediately preparing for divorce,’ said Wenger.
‘But if you have the pain but not the humiliation of being on your knees begging to be paid then that helps.
’Ferguson, who has been known to write with encouragement to young coaches who barely know him, concurred, saying: ‘Managers in the lower leagues are under ridiculous pressure.’
Wenger teased Ferguson that Paul Scholes retired from international football too early and said he went close to signing Cristiano Ronaldo but was ‘a few hundred thousand’ short.
‘Aye, I know you did,’ quipped Ferguson.
‘You had him over at Highbury about 25 times.’
Wenger and Ferguson will reconvene at the Emirates on November 8 for their teams’ first meeting of the season.
By Ferguson’s admission, normal service will be resumed then.
‘Put us on a football pitch and there’s a bit of a difference,’ he smiled.
Before they meet, United must deal with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
‘I would rather Arsenal win the league than certain other teams,’ said Ferguson.
Sympathy from the enemy?
It was enough to make Wenger choke on his fizzy water.
Print this article
Read later
By Ian Ladyman
Last updated at 12:59 AM on 20th September 2008
- <LI class=first>
Comments (0) 
Add to My Stories
If Sky's Richard Keys is to be believed, then peace has finally broken out between Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and his Arsenal counterpart, Arsene Wenger.
Don’t bet on it lasting.
The two great managers of the modern English game sat together to take questions at a gala dinner to raise funds for the League Managers’ Association at Wembley on Thursday evening.
Arch-rivals Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger put their differences aside at a recent League Managers Association gala dinner
It was something of a feat to get them together.
Their mutual antipathy has been well documented.
Nevertheless, if the evening proved anything it was merely how different these two men really are.
Prompted by host Keys, each spoke generously about the other but, tellingly, both sets of eyes looked elsewhere during a ‘dug-out’ handshake at the end.
‘We share wine and dinner at coaching seminars in Geneva,’ said Ferguson.
‘With many battles has come respect,’ added Wenger.
More...
- United boss Fergie's fired up for Chelsea and the battle of the Bridge
- Wenger: Arsenal deserve great credit for keeping our finances in order
- FOR ALL THE LATEST ARSENAL NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB CLICK HERE
- FOR ALL THE LATEST UNITED NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB CLICK HERE
As anyone will tell you, respect and friendship are two different things.
Ferguson is an active LMA member while Wenger has never been trusted wholly by many coaches who still view the Frenchman as cold and aloof.
As such, his presence was all the more welcome.
Sitting back, Ferguson took on the role of lounge bar raconteur; garrulous and expansive.
Wenger, sitting forward with hands crossed, was more measured.
They agreed on many things.
Wenger (left) and Ferguson have not always seen eye to eye on the football field
Both spoke generously and passionately about the plight of unemployed managers and argued persuasively that clubs, especially lower down the leagues, should pay compensation more quickly and readily.
‘When you agree to be a manager you should start immediately preparing for divorce,’ said Wenger.
‘But if you have the pain but not the humiliation of being on your knees begging to be paid then that helps.
’Ferguson, who has been known to write with encouragement to young coaches who barely know him, concurred, saying: ‘Managers in the lower leagues are under ridiculous pressure.’
Wenger teased Ferguson that Paul Scholes retired from international football too early and said he went close to signing Cristiano Ronaldo but was ‘a few hundred thousand’ short.
‘Aye, I know you did,’ quipped Ferguson.
‘You had him over at Highbury about 25 times.’
Wenger and Ferguson will reconvene at the Emirates on November 8 for their teams’ first meeting of the season.
By Ferguson’s admission, normal service will be resumed then.
‘Put us on a football pitch and there’s a bit of a difference,’ he smiled.
Before they meet, United must deal with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
‘I would rather Arsenal win the league than certain other teams,’ said Ferguson.
Sympathy from the enemy?
It was enough to make Wenger choke on his fizzy water.
Print this article Read later