Yeah, they could really have made this like a 'The Last Dance' type doc, he has that much to tell.
Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In
- Thread starter Tom Van Persie
- Start date
It all took place before I was born, but I loved the chapters in his book which cover his time managing in Scotland.
Funnily enough I have read his book (a long time ago now) but I can’t really remember too much so it was nice to have the refresher of his time there.
Finishing it with 1999 was perfect, I mean in his post patch interview after winning the treble he even said we never gave in.
Nothing what came after 99 was as legendary as the treble. Until today we see people/ex players and staff involved talking about Barcelona 99. No one talks the same way about Moscow 08 or overtaking Liverpool in the league or anything else.
Focusing on Aberdeen and United until late 90s is indeed the way it should have been.
Nothing what came after 99 was as legendary as the treble. Until today we see people/ex players and staff involved talking about Barcelona 99. No one talks the same way about Moscow 08 or overtaking Liverpool in the league or anything else.
Focusing on Aberdeen and United until late 90s is indeed the way it should have been.
What he did at Aberdeen separates him from the rest
A football God.
A football God.
Watched it last night, really enjoyed it. A lot of his stuff before United was stuff that I never read or heard too much about so it was cool seeing all that. Also who can get too much of Sir Alex? Feels like forever since he was in charge 
Just finished watched it now. Wow, that last part made me cry seeing him come back after his illness, knowing all he had done, all he had sacrificed for this club.
There was a moment when he was filling in the health evaluation and he jokingly sad "but it's coming". Scary.
But a very fitting tribute. I kinda like they didn't got beyond the treble also.
There was a moment when he was filling in the health evaluation and he jokingly sad "but it's coming". Scary.
But a very fitting tribute. I kinda like they didn't got beyond the treble also.
I really hope he can witness us win a title again.
Finally got the house to myself for a couple of hours and thought it the perfect time to stick this on. Terrific watch so far, 34 minutes in and he is reading what he wrote down when trying to write names he knows. Broke me.
It made me smile when they showed the footage of Sir Matt holding the PL trophy with Sir Alex. I'm so glad he got to witness us win the league again and lets hope Sir Alex can too.
Yeah, that's exactly what came to my mind.
Every Manchester United supporter/fan should be allowed to watch this stunningly brilliant film about the great man.
Absolutely fascinating. You can see how fiercely proud he is of his working class socialist background.
As he rightly says, you are what you were. And it is easy to see how his background has shaped him. Not afraid of anyone. Tough as nails.... never gave up....ever.
Playing in front of 152,000 Rangers v Celtic. Takes some balls.
But of course he has a softer side. Treated his players like a father.
Absolutely fascinating. You can see how fiercely proud he is of his working class socialist background.
As he rightly says, you are what you were. And it is easy to see how his background has shaped him. Not afraid of anyone. Tough as nails.... never gave up....ever.
Playing in front of 152,000 Rangers v Celtic. Takes some balls.
But of course he has a softer side. Treated his players like a father.
Was great. Doesn't matter how great you are, the line between success and failure is very thin and is out of your hands. The man was blessed and we with him. What an amazing manager.
Bang on.
I have just watched it through a second time and you realise that, while he was our manager, he was everything that was great about Manchester United.
His management.
His spirit.
His ethos.
His passion and desire.
His knowledge.
His drive to succeed.
His ambition to be the best of the best.
And his belief in that you never ever give in.
I have always been in awe of Sir Alex Ferguson. And now, I love him even more.
What memories that man has.
A true winner.
Yes. I used to think United were bigger than Sir Matt and Alex. But I'm not sure anymore. Take them out of the equation and we're clearly not the same club. Basically until we get our next Fergie we'll just have to get used to the idea we're like every other club.
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Just watched it on Prime. Some thoughts:
- Found it hilarious how it was his hatred towards Rangers that fuelled the Aberdeen run. I never knew that
- Giggs being in it felt awkward.
- Surprised they didn't talk much about the Class of '92, which was a good thing considering there's already a docu on those guys.
- Cathy seems lovely
- He really treasures his memories
- Anyone that says Pep is as good as SAF can go piss off. The way he took Aberdeen, a team that trained in the park and made them beat Real Madrid was just Then he took a sleeping giant in United back to it's glory days by focusing on youth and development, not buying 60 CBs until it works.
- It makes me even more sad what the ethos of the club has become.
- Found it hilarious how it was his hatred towards Rangers that fuelled the Aberdeen run. I never knew that
- Giggs being in it felt awkward.
- Surprised they didn't talk much about the Class of '92, which was a good thing considering there's already a docu on those guys.
- Cathy seems lovely
- He really treasures his memories
- Anyone that says Pep is as good as SAF can go piss off. The way he took Aberdeen, a team that trained in the park and made them beat Real Madrid was just
Then he took a sleeping giant in United back to it's glory days by focusing on youth and development, not buying 60 CBs until it works.- It makes me even more sad what the ethos of the club has become.
Which book? He wrote two, ‘Managing my life’ and a second biography. They’re both good but for very different reasons. The first one is a more straightforward retelling of his life and career. One thing that weirdly sticks in my head is him talking about marrying a Catholic woman and how that was a big deal at the time. I know that probably sounds dumb to Scottish or Irish people that I was surprised (I read it years ago) but it seemed so strange to me. He said that he hated the bigotry though.
The second one devotes chapters to individual players and some of the difficulties he had with them (e.g. Becks, Keane, Rio) and delves much deeper into his theories on management. The main takeaway is that he believes management is about ‘power and control’ and if a manager is not very vigilant, the players take over bit by bit until they’re running the team and he’s toast. Was so fascinating to see him be more candid after his retirement.
Did Ferguson talk to Arsenal at one point before going to United or am I making this up? Did he not speak to other club?
Ahh I think I read his first one, didn’t know he had another more recent one. Might have to pick that up.
Yes he did I believe. Could you imagine if he went there. They would of been the dominant team for two decades. We would of been like Liverpool.
Sir Alex made United feel special, and different, for me a little of that has been lost since he retired.
Yeah it’s a good read
I remember it being really interesting. Both of Keane’s books are good too. I recently read Wenger’s and it was slightly disappointing, there was a lot missing imo, but what was there was worth the read.
I might give Ferguson’s second book a re-read as it’s been a while.
Keane’s books are also good, yes
My memory is that Ferguson's first book was a lot better than his second but I'm willing to read both again just to check
Really enjoyed it.Just watched it on Prime. Some thoughts:
- Found it hilarious how it was his hatred towards Rangers that fuelled the Aberdeen run. I never knew that
- Giggs being in it felt awkward. Could see he didn't enjoy being told what to do even as a youngster from some of his replies - explains a little
- Surprised they didn't talk much about the Class of '92, which was a good thing considering there's already a docu on those guys.
- Cathy seems lovely Was good she said so much in it
- He really treasures his memories Was the opening theme to it and he's be lost without them
- Anyone that says Pep is as good as SAF can go piss off. The way he took Aberdeen, a team that trained in the park and made them beat Real Madrid was just
- It makes me even more sad what the ethos of the club has become. If he were younger he probably could have fixed that too - the notes he made about everything since he started like the scouting, what to say to a player on a certain day he literally ate drank and slept the job
It would be funny if after that death stare to the journalist, there was a text slate that said "that journalist was never heard from or seen again"
I had a grin from ear to ear - it was fantasticIt would be funny if after that death stare to the journalist, there was a text slate that said "that journalist was never heard from or seen again"
I always thought him and Jim Leighton made up. Just goes to show you, you have to be ruthless at the top. No time for sentiment.
This is fantastic I had tears in my eyes for the treble part, such an emotional moment in history for all of us. It feels only half way done as there is so much more to tell from this century in particular. I wish they’d have made it much longer, cut into several parts with more stories from the players but it was still very good.
More from Jim's point I think - he melted basically.
I'm not sure I saw the final whistle bit where he hugged Keane before - maybe but can't remember it.
Shame they way those two fell out in particular.
Shame they way those two fell out in particular.
Yep same. I found the second a little disappointing. Was basically shots fired at almost everyone
Still a good read but I found it much less fascinating than his first book.The second book seemed very forced to me into the format they wanted it comparing it to the business world etc. Some gems in there but I've never read it a second time.Yep same. I found the second a little disappointing. Was basically shots fired at almost everyone
Loving it so far.
I think he's comparing the first autobiography (from 1999) to the second (from 2013) while you're talking about his other book, Leading.
Ah you are correct cheers - yeah Leading is the one I am not too keen on.
The first autobiography from 1999 was the best one.
A Will to Win - The Manager's Diary, was a good read too and gave us insight into the 1996/97 season..
A Will to Win - The Manager's Diary, was a good read too and gave us insight into the 1996/97 season..
He's the best person in football ever. Possibly the world.
Just finished it. Hairs standing up on the back of your neck stuff at times watching that. Without doubt, the greatest of all time and there will never be another like him ever again imo.
Crazy how one phone call from the St Johnstone manager at the time changed his life and gave him that big break.
I do hope that there is a part 2 to this that covers the seasons from 2000. Think there is so much there to cover during that period.
Crazy how one phone call from the St Johnstone manager at the time changed his life and gave him that big break.
I do hope that there is a part 2 to this that covers the seasons from 2000. Think there is so much there to cover during that period.