silentassassin
Face Of The Franchise
Sir Alex sets new United record of 8,811 days
Sir Alex Ferguson has become Manchester United's longest-serving manager after going past Sir Matt Busby's time in charge. Ferguson joined the Red Devils in November 1986 from Aberdeen and has presided over the most successful period in the club's history. He has now set a new benchmark of 24 years, one month and 14 days at the helm, eclipsing the record previously held by legendary boss Busby.
Ferguson had hoped to mark the occasion with victory over Chelsea on Sunday that would have guaranteed United are top of the Premier League on Christmas day.
Unfortunately the eagerly-awaited encounter at Stamford Bridge had to be postponed due to safety reasons following the recent heavy snow. Speaking ahead of the match, Ferguson paid tribute to Busby, who helped rebuild the club both immediately after World War II and the Munich tragedy. Ferguson told Key 103: "I think of Sir Matt Busby as being here forever.
"He started at the end of the war and went right through to winning the European Cup in 1968. The timespan seems to be much longer than mine.
Of course, there are emotional issues. He had to rebuild the team after Munich. There was so much emotion.
"I did not have that. That is the reason he seemed to have been here forever."
Ferguson also admitted that, when initially taking over at Old Trafford, he did not believe he would get close to his fellow Scot's longevity.
"I could never have imagined that I would surpass Sir Matt's longevity." He said.
"When I came here, my main thought was to win the league and that was my driving force.
"I couldn't visualise that I would end up with 24 years behind me, going into my 25th year. I could never have imagined that in a million years."
Extract from Sky Sports
Sir Alex Ferguson has become Manchester United's longest-serving manager after going past Sir Matt Busby's time in charge. Ferguson joined the Red Devils in November 1986 from Aberdeen and has presided over the most successful period in the club's history. He has now set a new benchmark of 24 years, one month and 14 days at the helm, eclipsing the record previously held by legendary boss Busby.
Ferguson had hoped to mark the occasion with victory over Chelsea on Sunday that would have guaranteed United are top of the Premier League on Christmas day.
Unfortunately the eagerly-awaited encounter at Stamford Bridge had to be postponed due to safety reasons following the recent heavy snow. Speaking ahead of the match, Ferguson paid tribute to Busby, who helped rebuild the club both immediately after World War II and the Munich tragedy. Ferguson told Key 103: "I think of Sir Matt Busby as being here forever.
"He started at the end of the war and went right through to winning the European Cup in 1968. The timespan seems to be much longer than mine.
Of course, there are emotional issues. He had to rebuild the team after Munich. There was so much emotion.
"I did not have that. That is the reason he seemed to have been here forever."
Ferguson also admitted that, when initially taking over at Old Trafford, he did not believe he would get close to his fellow Scot's longevity.
"I could never have imagined that I would surpass Sir Matt's longevity." He said.
"When I came here, my main thought was to win the league and that was my driving force.
"I couldn't visualise that I would end up with 24 years behind me, going into my 25th year. I could never have imagined that in a million years."
Extract from Sky Sports