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From: http://timesonline.typepad.com/thega...-next-man.html
April 19, 2009
Ferguson as guilty of mud-slinging as the next man
Oliver Kay
In his remarkably candid diary of the 1996-97 season, Will to Win, a pre-knighted Alex Ferguson wrote of his shock upon hearing, en route to the funeral of an eminent Scottish sportswriter, of Kevin Keegan’s resignation as Newcastle United manager. He turned on the radio and, after hearing confirmation, grew frustrated at the crass discussion that ensued, leaving him to wonder what had happened to the art of sports journalism.
Ferguson likes to regard himself as a crusader against the twin evils of sensationalism and knee-jerk reactions, even writing to media outlets to demand that we all get back to talking about football, rather than whipping up storms where none exists. Then he goes and spoils it all by saying something stupid like his bizarre and, frankly, embarrassing latest tirade against Rafael Benítez, the Liverpool manager.
It was only a week earlier that Ferguson was snorting at Benítez’s apparent obsession with him — “he’s got a European tie against Chelsea and he’s talking about Alex Ferguson! Fantastic!” Journalists laughed along with the Manchester United manager, as we often do, but seven days later, he embarked, unprompted, on yet another rant against Benítez.
First, Ferguson dredged up a comment that Benítez had made about Everton in February 2007, “which points to his arrogance”. Then, more hilarious still, he talked of the “absolute contempt” that Benítez showed to Sam Allardyce with a gesture during his team’s 4-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers, saying: “I don’t think any other Liverpool manager would ever have done that.”
Journalists sprinted to their laptops, going straight to YouTube in search of the despicable act that took Benítez “beyond the pale”. What they found was not even trivial, never mind offensive.
Ferguson is a genius, a manager whose achievements with United and, before that, Aberdeen demand the greatest reverence, but he is also capable of the most breathtaking hypocrisy. If he wishes to cast Benítez in an unflattering light he should ask himself whether the late Sir Matt Busby, for example, would have resorted to such low and misguided blows against a fellow manager or indeed against referees or the game’s authorities or just about anyone who ever dares to cross him.
It is a different game these days. The constant media pressure makes life difficult for managers and at times whips up unedifying spats. But never let Ferguson tell anyone that he is somehow above this mudslinging. When it suits him, he is as guilty as anyone of creating the kind of sensationalism that he claims to despise.
April 19, 2009
Ferguson as guilty of mud-slinging as the next man
Oliver Kay
In his remarkably candid diary of the 1996-97 season, Will to Win, a pre-knighted Alex Ferguson wrote of his shock upon hearing, en route to the funeral of an eminent Scottish sportswriter, of Kevin Keegan’s resignation as Newcastle United manager. He turned on the radio and, after hearing confirmation, grew frustrated at the crass discussion that ensued, leaving him to wonder what had happened to the art of sports journalism.
Ferguson likes to regard himself as a crusader against the twin evils of sensationalism and knee-jerk reactions, even writing to media outlets to demand that we all get back to talking about football, rather than whipping up storms where none exists. Then he goes and spoils it all by saying something stupid like his bizarre and, frankly, embarrassing latest tirade against Rafael Benítez, the Liverpool manager.
It was only a week earlier that Ferguson was snorting at Benítez’s apparent obsession with him — “he’s got a European tie against Chelsea and he’s talking about Alex Ferguson! Fantastic!” Journalists laughed along with the Manchester United manager, as we often do, but seven days later, he embarked, unprompted, on yet another rant against Benítez.
First, Ferguson dredged up a comment that Benítez had made about Everton in February 2007, “which points to his arrogance”. Then, more hilarious still, he talked of the “absolute contempt” that Benítez showed to Sam Allardyce with a gesture during his team’s 4-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers, saying: “I don’t think any other Liverpool manager would ever have done that.”
Journalists sprinted to their laptops, going straight to YouTube in search of the despicable act that took Benítez “beyond the pale”. What they found was not even trivial, never mind offensive.
Ferguson is a genius, a manager whose achievements with United and, before that, Aberdeen demand the greatest reverence, but he is also capable of the most breathtaking hypocrisy. If he wishes to cast Benítez in an unflattering light he should ask himself whether the late Sir Matt Busby, for example, would have resorted to such low and misguided blows against a fellow manager or indeed against referees or the game’s authorities or just about anyone who ever dares to cross him.
It is a different game these days. The constant media pressure makes life difficult for managers and at times whips up unedifying spats. But never let Ferguson tell anyone that he is somehow above this mudslinging. When it suits him, he is as guilty as anyone of creating the kind of sensationalism that he claims to despise.
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