‘Ferguson was the complete package’
Ferguson’s already infamous memoirs have generated an avalanche of headlines and created an impression that the most successful manager in football history ruled by fear and loathing at Old Trafford.
But for sports psychologist Dan Abrahams, who has worked with Premier League clubs and players and whose current book Soccer Brain deals with the psychology of coaching, Ferguson’s autobiography is as much a textbook for leadership as a history of controversy.
“Most people are interested in the sensationalism, the Roy Keane story, but as somebody who has worked with footballers and clubs there is so much else that gives you an insight into the character of Alex and why he was successful,” he said.
“People say he ruled by fear but in fact his leadership style was a little bit of everything; it was situational. And it was his ability to adapt to any situation with such skill that makes him stand out.
“If it required an authoritarian approach, as with Keane, then he would take that; but if a softer approach was required he would take that too. I heard a story about the Da Silva twins heading back to Brazil one summer when they told Alex they planned to play in a big game of football for their home town.
“Ferguson’s first reaction was to go into a tirade about how it wasn’t acceptable, how they risked injury and it was unprofessional. But then he thought more deeply and realised it said a lot about how passionate the pair were about football — something he admired — and gave his blessing.”
Of course the confrontational side to Ferguson is legendary and a major part of his make-up; but Abrahams has a feeling it may be exaggerated.
“A lot of the stories are over-blown,” he insisted. “When you talk about the hairdryer I don’t think it was out as often as people think.
“Actually I think he cared for his players immensely. Of course there were times when he raised his voice, including that Beckham incident with the flying boot. But over 26 years, half-time talks would have been more about tactics than hairdryers; because that’s not how human beings function and that’s not how to motivate them.
“He was also very clever at making an island of Manchester United and putting water between them and the outside world. He created a siege mentality and that’s perhaps why he came across as prickly to the outside.
“I often work with managers on helping them create a siege mentality because it can create a club identity; and they certainly had that at United. Care on the inside, frostiness on the outside; that was the way he developed a world class winning culture.”
A recent blog by former United defender Paul Parker provided a fascinating insight into Keane’s controversial exit from Old Trafford; the full-back claiming Ferguson put up with the Irishman’s confrontational style for years before using it as an excuse when Keane’s influence on the field started to wane.
“You have to remember by the time Roy Keane’s relationship with Ferguson became fractious, the manager already had a real power base. He had created a warrior culture and put Man United on the world map; so what was important, and he knew this, was that you couldn’t have players who created a divide in the dressing room.
“Roy has come out and said his piece and I don’t want to take sides; but what I would say is that if what Alex says is true then potentially Roy could be seen as a divisive figure — and had to go.
“There’s a pragmatic side to it too. For instance whilst Beckham was in tears on his last day it was a win-win situation for them both when he left. Beckham wanted a celebrity lifestyle and for me Alex was quite straight forward about it; go ahead and do that, but not at Manchester United.
“In all those incidents he realised he had to underline that he had the power base. If he believed a player’s behaviour would affect communication in the team, then of course he had to go.”
For that reason, amongst many others, no manager is ever loved and adored by every player he has coached; and ultimately it is a role in which perfection is almost impossible to achieve.
But how close did Alex get from a sports psychology perspective? And what chance that we will ever see his like again?
“I think he was the full package as far as a human being can be within their own work,” claimed Abrahams.
“Everybody can strive to be better of course but Alex had a managerial system, he had a way of dealing with things, of delegating things; he was the best that he could be.
“Somebody in future may take on all those things and be even better; but they certainly have a lot to live up to.”
- Dan Abrahams is author of Soccer Tough, currently the best-selling soccer coaching book in the world, and of Soccer Brain, which deals with psychology for coaches.
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