Fergie considered working abroad

ALEX FERGUSON has admitted he considered working abroad but the appeal of Manchester United proved too strong.

While Ferguson has ruled over United for the past 21 years, his managerial counterpart tomorrow, Roy Hodgson, has in that time covered all corners of the globe in pursuit of his craft. The Fulham boss is now hoping to put that vast experience to good use and prevent his side being relegated and his work ethic certainly impresses Ferguson.

“Roy Hodgson has done what a lot of us would love to have done and worked abroad,” the United manager said.

“I always remember Bobby Robson saying that the best thing he ever did was go to PSV, Sporting Lisbon, Porto and Barcelona.

“He was out of the country for maybe 10 or 12 years. Working in different climates with different cultures definitely broadens your education. I remember meeting Roy Hodgson in Malmo in 1987 when I had just joined Manchester United. Malmo were playing Ajax in the European Cup.

“Over the years he has gone to Inter Milan, Switzerland, Finland, Udinese, Blackburn etc... it’s incredible all the teams that he has managed.

“You can see when he’s interviewed he knows what he is talking about. Sometimes I used to say to myself ‘I’d love to have tried managing abroad sometime’ but then it was difficult for me. My choices were cut off simply because I was the manager of Manchester United.”

Ferguson aims to close the three point gap to leaders Arsenal at Craven Cottage and is adamant United will continue to allow their players to express themselves.

He said: “The players have that joy of being at a club with a lot of ambition. It is good to see young players having the energy and the commitment to try and enjoy themselves.

“We work hard at making sure that they are relaxed in that respect with a responsibility to use their talents all the time to express themselves. We are fortunate in that it is easier for them than a lot of other players because they are exceptional talents.”

Meanwhile, it is understood that contract talks with Rio Ferdinand will open at the end of the current campaign. The centre-half’s current deal expires at the end of the 2008/09 season and, in line with United’s renewal policy under the Glazer regime, negotiations will begin 12 months before the end of that contract.

Ferguson has been exasperated with attempts to tie fellow England defender Wes Brown to an extension and last week issued a broadside on players who “live in the pockets” of their agents.

Brown has yet to sign a new deal and Ferguson will hope to avoid any such hold-ups with 29-year-old Ferdinand, who has developed a formidable partnership with Nemanja Vidic at the back.

Ferdinand’s current deal was signed in 2005 after several months of negotiation. When they were a plc, United’s policy was to start talks two years before a player’s deal expired and the new arrangement does leave the club more vulnerable to players leaving on a free transfer, as Brown will be able to do at the end of the season.