The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be…
Published:Football has gone into mourning and I can’t even look at my cereal this morning after the shock announcement that Sir Alex Ferguson is to retire as Manchester United’s manager. After 26 years at the club, 13 titles, two Champions League crowns, five FA Cups and four League Cups, Sir Alex will go down in history as the most successful manager in English football history. Whoever his successor is will certainly have massive boots to fill and at the moment it’s shaping up to be a two-horse race between David Moyes and Jose Mourinho.
The betting has gone up and down like a yo-yo but it looks like the mass media coverage surrounding Moyes is influencing the punters opinion, with the nine out of ten bets being placed on the Everton manager taking the reins at Old Trafford.
The early money had been streaming in for ‘The Special One’ with reports suggesting that United are going to hijack his plans to go to Chelsea this summer. However, United are renowned for their long-serving managers; before Ferguson, Matt Busby managed the club for 24 years. Mourinho on the contrary has never completed more than three seasons at a club and his flamboyant nature may not be as well received at Old Trafford.
Sir Alex Ferguson will no doubt be heavily involved with the choosing of his successor and with that in mind, David Moyes looks like the likeliest candidate to get the job as Fergie has openly expressed his admiration for his management style and longevity at Everton in the past. As a United fan though, I am slightly sceptical. Everton have reached one final in Moyes’ 11 years which leaves me feeling rather negative about his possible appointment. Surely there are more superior candidates out there?
I for one will be hoping to steal Mourinho from under the nose of Chelsea but if I was really hoping for something, I would wish for Sir Alex Ferguson to stay at United for many more years to come. The Premier League has lost a major character and today feels like United have lost a huge part of their soul. Bret Hart sums up Fergie perfectly…”The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be”.
