It has been almost a quarter of a century now that the great Scotsman has presided over the famous club from Manchester. They say familiarity breeds contempt, yet the bond between Sir Alex Ferguson and United fans seems stronger and more captivating than ever before. Fergie is United’s Knight in shining armor and to think of another person in Sir Alex’s place is blasphemous for Red Devils around the world. Opposition fans undoubtedly want no more of Fergie, for he is the perennial thorn in their flesh, but even they have to begrudgingly admit the game would be a duller, and a profoundly poorer place without the legendary Scotsman.
Ferguson has never been short of a word or two and over the course of his two and a half decade stay at United he has created a different vocabulary for himself. Some of his quotable quotes, stories, antics have become part of universal football lingo. Every prominent name has a catch phrase associated with them in the media, regardless of whether they actually said it or not. It’s amusing to note the likes of Wenger’s “I ziz not zee it!!“ have entered football folklore.
Last Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti’s “Bad moment” lasted 3 months and he didn’t last long after that. The one and only Cristiano Ronaldo when referring to his impending transfer to Real Madrid reckoned “In the future, only God Knows”. To be fair to the Portuguese superstar, he was right in his own special way. You know he has a massive Messianic complex and probably believes in his own divinity, making him the only one who knew the truth of his impending transfer.
Sir Alex Ferguson, over the years, has been associated with many such quotes, terms and tales that have become synonymous with him . Here’s a look back at some of these famous Fergie facts that have become an integral part of football vocabulary.
“Fergie Time” – a phenomenon when time stands still waiting for the Red Devils to eventually score and get a famous win.
Origin: April 10, 1993 Manchester United 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday
United had been waiting for the league title for 26 agonizing years and it looked to be slipping away yet again as Sheffield’s John Sheridan gave the visitors the lead as late as the 65th minute. Steve Bruce equalized in the 86th minute but United couldn’t force a win or so it seemed. However, when it all seemed over and the fat lady was clearing her voice to sing, Bruce rose again and United scored in the 96th minute to register the most famous win and the legacy has continued ever since.
Modern football’s most famous quote comes into play as and when United need a goal or two and after the allotted 90 minutes have ticked by. Over the years, Ferguson’s red army have made it almost a tradition to score late on in games to turn defeats into draws and draws into victories. Even turning a sure shot defeat into a smash and grab win isn’t beyond the realms of possibility for the Old Trafford club, as Bayern Munich would testify.
It’s also a proven football fact that the time added on suddenly shots up when Fergie’s team needs it the most. However one must wonder what happens to the opposition in those extra few seconds, they aren’t blind folded are they? Or do they decide to throw in the towel when Fergie time dawns on them?
The legend of ‘Fergie time’ continues even today, in reference to the man who can stop time!
“The Hair Dryer treatment” – Fergie’s team has performed horribly in the first half and the players are about to get a real kick up their posteriors, figuratively speaking.
Origin: Mark ‘Sparky’ Hughes’ gets the credit for coining this phrase. Sparky said: “Ferguson would stand nose-to-nose with you and just shout and bawl, and you would end up with your hair behind your head.“
Used extensively by the men behind the mike during the games when United players start off a game slowly. Ferguson has over the years mellowed down remarkably and the likes of Giggs and Scholes have testified to that effect. However, the Scot does like to let loose occasionally and poor old Johny Evans had to withstand the full treatment out in open. United’s defense was floundering against AC Milan at the San Siro when Evans was called over by the manager and given a piece of his mind. The decibel-busting rollicking dished out by the boss woke the Irishman from his slumber, United went on to win the game.
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However, there days Fergie can be as understanding as the “cooler” parent. Jonny Evans would certainly have preferred the hairdryer treatment, when Fergie affectionately gave him marriage advice in the middle of a press conference. Evans has surely received preferential treatment from the gaffer, although he might not have wanted any of it.
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“A Boot in Your Face” – When words are simply not enough.
The hair dryer can occasionally malfunction though, after United went down against Arsenal in a F.A. Cup game at OT, Ferguson was in no mood to let go. The book kicking incident that followed ended with United’s golden boy being stitched up for a cut over his eye. That was the beginning of the end of David Beckham’s glorious stint at Old Trafford. Ferguson obviously didn’t intend to harm his player but it could and should have ended better.
“Squeaky Bum time” – The title run in, when the pressure is immense and it squeezes the life out of everyone.
Origin: Sir Alex gets the credit for this one himself. Fergie coined the phrase back in the second half of season 2002-03 when his United side went on their customary end of the season winning run and sneaked up on the hitherto dominant Gunners. It was a reminder for Arsene Wenger and Arsenal that they might be ahead but the chase is on and United are on their tail. United ended up coming from behind and winning the league after the North London side capitulated during the “squeaky bum time”.
Over the years, media has grown very fond of the phrase and every title run in season after season invariably sees a mention of the ‘squeaky bum’.
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These are just a few terms and quotes that add to the aura of the great man, whose standing in the game is second to none. Be it the famous “knock of their effing perch” or the rather infamous “we’ll get him and ban him” after a reporter dared to ask a rather innocuous question about Ryan Giggs. Fergie has always shielded his men and at the ripe age of 70, don’t bet on him easing off in anyway. As the man himself would say “there is absolutely no doubt about it”.