Management And Manchester United

Here is another amazing fact for you all. In the 115 year history of Manchester United Football Club, there has only been 17 managers in charge of the first team. In a world, where aclub is becoming increasingly likely of going through 17 managers in 17 years, that is somewhat amazing! The roll of honour is as follows:

 

Name	Period
A. H. Albut	1892-1900
James West	1900-1903
J. Ernest Mangnall	1903-1912
John Bentley	1912-1914
Jack Robson	1914-1922
John Chapman	1921-1927
Lal Hilditch	1926-1927
Herbert Bamlett	1927-1931
Walter Crickmer	1931-1932 & 1937-1945
Scott Duncan	1932-1937
Sir Matt Busby	1945-1969 & 1970-1971
Wilf McGuinness	1969-1970
Frank O’Farrell	1971-1972
Tommy Docherty	1972-1977
Dave Sexton	1977-1981
Ron Atkinson	1981-1986
Sir Alex Ferguson	1986—

As you can see, Alex Ferguson is fast approaching the benchmark that Sir Matt Busby has set. Busby was in charge for 26 years, with a break of a year and made the club what it is, but Ferguson is taking it to the next level. In 2012, if he is still in charge, he will become the longest reigning manager in the history of the club.

 

 

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Sir Alex Ferguson has ben in charge of Manchester United since 1986. This spell is one of the longest in recent history as managers can generally be hired and fired within the space of a year or so these days. The amount of success he has had is unparalleled and deserves the title of best modern day manager.

Ferguson took over from Ron Atkinson in 1986 but his first few years were anything but easy. Poor spells made him a target for calls for his job from the fans. Undaunted, he continued in his role but had to wait until 1990 for success. His first trophy came in the form of the FA Cup. The first league title he was to win came in 1992/3 and was followed by many more. The trophy cabinet is indeed full with 8 Premiership titles (1992/93, 1993/94, 1995/96, 1996/97, 1998/99, 1999/00, 2000/01, 2002/03), 5 FA Cups (1993/94, 1995/96, 1998/99, 2003/04), 2 League Cups (1991/92, 2005/06), 5 Charity Shields (1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003), 1 Champions League (1998/99) and 1 European Cup Winners Cup (1990/91).

This level of success has assured Ferguson of a place in history. However, it has been his attitude that has enabled him to survive over the years. No player is bigger than a club, and he has let go of numerous players who have believed themselves to be bigger than he is, Roy Keane and David Beckham are just two of the notable names there. He has stood firm where other managers have crumbled, and now he deserves his due!

Here is to Sir Alex Ferguson!    

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In the News…

The festive season is here and we have a host of fixtures coming think and fast and going through them unscathed with our lead at the top intact would be the utmost priority. Arguably the toughest of them is our away trip to the St.James’ as they have playing some good stuff of late. I only hope we don’t get bogged down by that cold weather up there and do it to them one more time.

Ronaldo’s brilliant form for us recently has earned him praise from every team member, especially the gaffer. Edwin believes it’s the negative reaction towards him from the opposing fans that drives him onto greater heights. I wouldn’t disagree with that, since Ronaldo is a constant source of boo-ing from other fans and they just can’t get over their WC agony.

In other news, Fergie says United have nothing to worry about with regard to the recent ‘bungs’ scandal going on. Fergie says that the report does not mention anything remotely related to United, and that is good news!

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Manchester United Transfer Talk

It has now been confirmed by none other than Sir Alex that the young duo of Phil Bardsley and Jonny Evans will be joining Sunderland on short-term loan after he was approached by former Red Roy Keane. Bardsley had earlier been loaned out to Rangers and came back with some good performances to his name and a stint now at Championship outfit should provide a sterner albeit a different test.

In other transfer-related news, Fergie has now officially denied rumours stating that the Glazers had put some some sort of a ‘cap’ on transfer spending at the club. The amount was believed to be in the region of 25 million quid. Must say, I would’ve been gutted to say the least if that one was true and now that Fergie has called it nonsense, fans all-around have breathed a huge sigh of relief.

United have been linked with Bayern midfielder Owen Hargreaves and Southampton full-back Bale in particular lately and it remains to be seen whether either or both of them will move to us in the coming days. Have to say, the move for Hargreaves looks very unlikely now that Bayern chairman himself has stated that he will not sell the englishman under any circumstances.

There is another interesting story doing the rounds today in the tabloids about the alleged spiralling of United’s overall debt in the coming years. An independent supporters’ group, who go by the name of MUST, have claimed that the Glazers have increased the Reds’ debt in the long-term which is unhealthy to say the least. If it indeed is true, it presents some worrying signs but one thing is for sure … the issue will get a lot more media attention.

Read more about it here:
http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/23122006/1/fans-red-united-s-debt.html

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Smith not for sale, says Fergie

Sir Alex Ferguson has quashed any rumours circulating around that Alan Smith is set to leave the club having had a dreadful time at the club due to injuries and making a slow recovery of sorts. Although he has seen more action taking part in reserve team action, it was largely believed that Fergie did not hold him in the same stead as he did before especially with the arrival of Henrik Larsson and Guiseppe Rossi back into the squad. All that was obviously not true now that Fergie have put those stories to rest by coming out in full support for Smith. This is what he had to say:

“Alan is doing really well at the moment.

“We put him on a speed programme, which had an immediate effect and we have seen a tremendous improvement in him over the last month.

“He is certainly not far away now.

“I wanted to take him down to West Ham but he didn’t want to go. He just wanted to stay and train on his own. He deserves great credit for that because it is not easy.

“He doesn’t want to travel again tomorrow either, so he will be training again.”

Smith had been linked with a move to Everton and David Moyes was keen on his signature but the Scot has now dismissed that possibility out of hand with this latest press conference.

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Manchester United Player Profiles : Alan Smith

Alan “Smudger” Smith started playing his football with Leeds United. Signing a professional contract with them in 1998, he scored on his debut when Leeds beat Liverpool in November 1998, going on to to establish himself as Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s first choice striking partner for the rest of that season.

After the appointment of David O’Leary in October 1998, Smith was one of several youngsters to benefit from the Irishman’s belief in his younger charges. Smith gained excellent experience during Leeds’ successful Champions League run during the 2000/01 season. But the fiery striker was sent-off in Leeds last game of the competition and he must learn to stay cool. However, the return of 11 Premiership goals was the best of his career.

He fought off the challenge of Robbie Keane to stay third in the pecking order at the club, but the 2001/02 season saw him deployed in a midfield role to accommodate the signing of Robbie Fowler from Liverpool. That understandably had a detrimental affect on his goals return. Smith made his England debut against Mexico at Pride Park in May 2001, and remained high on England boss Sven Goran Eriksson’s list of strikers for the 2002 World Cup.

His disciplinary record continued to haunt the player. The 2003/04 season would prove a huge one for Smith. He would leave Leeds, have a dramatic and embarrassing saga with the England set-up and see his beloved team relegated with spiralling debts.

The season started in familiar fashion for Smith, as he collected nine yellow cards in the first 21 games. But he remained a shining light in a dismal Leeds team battling for survival. The striker was called into the England squad for the first time since the Macedonia red card for the friendly against Denmark at Old Trafford. However, the FA failed to note that he was under investigation by the police for throwing a bottle into the crowd during a Carling Cup defeat to Manchester United. FA rules state that a player under police investigation cannot represent the national side, and within minutes of Smith arriving at the team hotel he was sent home again.

Back in domestic action, Smith was an inspiration. He was not booked from the start of January for the rest of the season as he led the Yorkshire side’s fruitless race for survival. A return of nine Premiership goals was the second best of his career. Relegation for Leeds would always mean the exit door for Smith, something which he had not denied for a number of months. Smith had scored 56 goals in a total of 228 games for the Elland Road club and was given a hero’s send off in his final game as Leeds were relegated. The fans invaded the pich and carried Smith shoulder high - if only they knew what was around the corner.

After interest from Everton and Middlesbrough, Smith eventually got his dream move to United on May 26, 2004, signing a five-year contract. Leeds received £6million, with the reported £7million balance reflected in the savings made on the player’s signing-on fees and other associated considerations. Smith agreed to waive his signing-on fee as a sign of goodwill, with the club also confirming no agents’ fees were incurred.

With a deadly eye for goal, aggression and great desire, Smith got off to a great start scoring a stunning 25 yard drive on his debut against Arsenal in the Community Shield. He then netted 4 times in his first 8 games including an acrobatic volley against Norwich. However, the return of Ruud van Nistelrooy from injury saw him drop to the bench by mid-season and his appearances became increasingly limited. Even when the Dutchman was injured again late season, Sir Alex preferred playing Wayne Rooney on his own in a 4-2-3-1 formation which left Smith warming the bench.

Season 2005-2006 was notable for the conversion of Smith from striker to midfielder by Sir Alex. At the start of the season he had been in his usual position as a second striker but soon began lining up alongside Darren Fletcher and Roy Keane. When Keane picked up a foot injury against Liverpool in mid September (and his subsequent exit in November) lan made a permanent switch to central midfield. Whilst the transition to midfield produced much scepticism at first, as the months went on Smith settled into the role and was performing well. Then disaster struck at Anfield in United’s 5th round FA Cup defeat by Liverpool. After coming on as a late sub, Smith had been trying to block a John Arne Riise free-kick in the closing stages of the game.

He suffered a horrific leg break and dislocated his ankle after falling awkwardly. Smith said: “I felt my leg go from under me as I went to block a free-kick,” “When I looked down, the leg was lying one way and my ankle was pointing towards Hong Kong so I knew I was in serious trouble.” It was feared that this was a career-ending injury but thankfully an operation to repair the damage was a success and he is expected to make full recovery for season 2006-2007. The injury meant Smith missed the Carling Cup final a week later but United players paid tribute by wearing T-shirts with “For you Smudge” as they collected the trophy.

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Larsson relishing United test

Henrik Larsson, the latest recruit by SAF, has admitted he could not turn down the chance to join United once they came calling. Larsson signed off on a magnificient and prolific career last year with the Champions League medal with Barca but apparently not, Fergie had other plans. The current loan spell ties Larsson to United until March but if you ask me, now that he is here … I don’t expect him to leave until the end of the season.

Here’s what he had to say on his surprise move to the Reds:

‘When I heard about this loan deal I just thought it was a chance I could not say no to,’

‘I did have opportunities to move to the Premiership when I was at Celtic but my family was settled in Glasgow, which is the reason I did not come down.

 

‘But I am 35 now, I do not think this opportunity will come around another time. I wouldn’t get the chance to join such a big club again.

 

‘I had to discuss the situation with my family but as soon as I had cleared it with them, there was no problem.’

Fergie commented:

“We know Henrik is only here for a short period but it could be the most important short period in this club’s season,” said Ferguson.

“The timing is difficult but we have to be fair to Helsingborg. We don’t want to intrude on their ambitions.

“Hopefully, by the time he does leave us, the job will have been done in terms of keeping us at the sharp end of all the competitions.”

Other news items of relevance

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Larsson : Manchester United offer was too tempting
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