Is Sir Alex Ferguson the most overrated manager?

[Peter R]

no worse than ignorance ... #internetis247

[Tilla]

Fergie was fortunate that he had management who were comfortable with giving him time to settle in the position and build over the long run. The obvious backing of management goes a long way into how you are perceived by your players in the dressing room. I think if Fergie or any coach went to Real Madrid and had similar situation as Jose, I am not sure they would be successful either. It is imperative that a manager not only have the responsibility to lead and make decisions, but he has to have authority to cut, promote or do as he sees fit for the benefit of the team. Responsibility without authority and you are courting disaster as a manager.

For example, I could point to Fergie getting rid of the Beckhams, Van Nistleroys and others, but players knew he had the backing of management. His decisions could not be questioned by players as they knew he was the man. Take Jose's case now where he decides to bench the captain and spain goalkeeper Casellas (sp?) and the team turned against him. That could happen to Fergie or any coach put in the situation as Josie if the management did not show they backed him totally.

Frankly, I think the atmosphere created by management at ManU made Fergie what he is today. I am sure a lot of other coaches would flourish under such conditions.

[Assasin]

it goes hand in hand. Fergie worked with the management. Can you imagine if Fergie came out against the current American managers, what you think would happen???

The fact is rebuilding any team is not easy and while I think Jose is a very good coach, the difference between him and Fergie is that it is more about him which is not bad but can conflict with the ownership and their ambition. Fergie work with the ownership and his team.

[Tilla]

You are missing the point as usual. Fergie put in a similar situation as Jose at RM, I am not sure he would be successful either. Jose put in a situation at ManU where he was given time and resources to build, would be just if not even more successful than Fergie. As matter of fact, what was created at ManU for Fergie is what is needed for any coach to be successful. If they want David Moyes to be successful as well, he will need to be provided the necessary resources and support.

I agree though that Jose's personality could have worked against him at Real. Sometimes you have to work more to get your bosses on your side if it is necessary for your success. I can see you saying that Fergie in that situation may have worked differently. We well never know however, as he has not shown that he had what it took to step outside of his comfort zone and succeed as Jose did.

It is better to say neither men are perfect and both will be better identifying the situations which will work best for them. Fergie must have felt that ManU was the best place for him so he stuck with it over 27 years.

Ever wondered why the big teams did not come knocking on Fergie's door to sign him as they did Jose? Maybe they just thought he would not be able to cut it elsewhere as he did at MU.

[Assasin]

"We well never know however, as he has not shown that he had what it took to step outside of his comfort zone and succeed as Jose did."

He did step out of his comfort zone to come to Manu. Some coaches are just loyal and will work with their team. Wenger is another. Fergie could have stepped away when mangement was changed. Why big teams didn't come for him? because they know they are wasting their time like Wenger as they really believe in building what they have. There were times when money dried up and they went anywhere.

yes we may never know what would have happen if Fergie went somewhere else. The management stuck with Fergie because they believed in his dream even when it was ruff in the begiining. Two differnt personality still.

[Tilla]

He did step out of his comfort zone to come to Manu.

That was 27 years ago!! He was in the early stages of his coaching career and did not know what he was about then and MU offered him a job.

Other teams have shown interest in Wenger as you saw recently from PSG. The fact that he did not go is up to him.

[Assasin]

How many teams bigger than ManU?? Why would he leave football's top job? Most other teams didn't even bother but you hear countries saying they would want him when he retired from clubs only for him to shot it down.

And yes Manu is the top club job as it is consistently one of the top 5 teams and unlike most of the rest it has security. Even Jose was saying he would love to take it. Madrid while a top team change manager like crazy.