‘Fergie time’ is no illusion after Sir Alex admitted to piling the pressure on match officials during his tenure at Manchester United.
The Scot will bring his 27-year reign to a close when his team faces West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.
And as well as keeping referees to task, Ferguson revealed mental warfare with managers was another weapon he often used.
“That’s been a part of it – the pressure you try and put on referees. But I saved mind games for opponents,” said Ferguson.
“The fourth official against Swansea on Sunday showed me the board and it said eight minutes. I said, ‘Think again’.
Ferguson, who will officially hand over the Red Devils’ reins to David Moyes on July 1, left Aberdeen for Manchester in search of a greater opportunity.
And at 71-years-old he is on the hunt yet again – after fulfilling football’s biggest task.
“At Aberdeen, I’d been there eight-and-a-half years, and I got to the point where I needed a new challenge,” added Ferguson.
“My old chairman at Aberdeen said to me, ‘The only club that will ever satisfy you is Manchester United.’
“The connection was his son had played for Manchester United. That was six months before I came here and it all came true the following November.”
Image courtesy of BBC Sport, via YouTube, with thanks.
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