The script might have been written number of times earlier, but this United Team is never tired of re-writing it again. Manchester United players synergy, enthusiasm and never die attitude turns setback into a success. It's certainly a extra ordinary habit. Most recent being the 4-3 win at Old Trafford against the Magpies.
It is now the eighth time in the 19 games, the team has transformed a failure into a fantastic finish in this season. Sir Alex Ferguson was quoted "It tells the courage of the players". Well this one of the many improbable comebacks this team has made under the Scottish Manager. The most famous being the 1999 Champions League final at Nou Camp where they trailed the game 1-0, but finally came on top scoring 2 goals during the added minutes to end the crazy game.
We all think what was the source of inspiration for those 11 players on the field who battled through the 90 minutes to come on top. In the book, Football- Bloody Hell! (Biography of Alex Ferguson by Patrick Barclay), Sir Alex famously shared his half time speech of the 99 champions leagues final which goes like this "At the end of this game, the European Cup will be only six feet away from you, and you’ll not even able to touch it if we lose. And for many of you, that will be the closest you will ever get. Don’t you dare come back in here without giving your all."
Now just turned 71 on 31st December, he is still working his magic, jumping around in the stands and he is showing no signs of pulling the curtains to his career as of now. Sometimes it seems like he could go on forever. However, as unlikely as it seems, he will eventually have to retire and the United camp should start searching for his replacement soon.
Sir Alex himself himself favours Pep Guardiola as his successor. Why? Because Pep has won just about every trophy possible in his four year stint at the Nou Camp. Being a product of the Barcelona youth system, and a follower of the that system, Guardiola even has the right philosophy for Manchester United, a club that likes to bring players through the ranks and add talent from elsewhere as and when it is required, just as Barcelona do.
Another one is the Special One, who have been very highly rated by Fergie. "Jose Mourinho is very intelligent," Fergie said to academics at Harvard Business School in Boston. "He has charisma, his players play for him and he is a good looking guy. I think I have most of those things, too, apart from his good looks". The head to head match ups suggests why the Master thinks Jose has the caliber to replace him. Both of them have locked horns 13 times with the United Manager only winning twice with Jose winning six times. One who has won 16 domestic titles (13 at Manchester and 3 at Aberdeen) and another 7 domestic titles (2 each at Porto, Chelsea & Inter and 1 at Real Madrid). Both of them has won two Champions League Title. However, the best Jose Mourinho has managed is a little more than three seasons with Chelsea, hardly the type of stability that Manchester United will be looking forward when Sir Alex does decide to stand down.
Scot's are regarded as one of the best when it comes to producing managers. Few of them: Sir Matt Busby, Kenny Dalglish, Alex McLeish and David Moyes. With more than 10 years of association with Everton and David Moyes is doing fairly good job there with a club which is severely lacking in financial resources. David Moyes has been able to consistently finish among the top ten and also had managed Everton to in the European games. David has the kind of stability which Mourinho lacks however the fact he hasn't managed a major European Club and big name players may well work against him.
Another one, whose names haven't been discussed at all is Mike Phelan (current assistant manager of Manchester United) who may be able to fill in the shoes of Alex Ferguson just as Tito Vilanova did for Pep Guardiola and F.C. Barcelona. Mike has been a Manchester United player playing more than 100 games winning 1992-93 premier league title under Ferguson. He has the advantage of already being more than familiar with the club; he spent 4 years there as a player and serving for five years as assistant manager. In January 2010, Phelan was linked with a return to his first club Burnley as manager following the departure of Owen Coyel. However pursued to stay on by Sir Alex Ferguson and work as his right hand man during three Premier League title campaigns, a Club World Cup, two League Cups and guided Manchester United to two Champions Leagues finals. During Mike Phelan time as first Team Coach, Manchester United won three Premier League titles, one FA Cup, a League Cup, and a Champions League.
Better than failing at one go is succeeding little by little is what the Manchester United board should be looking at. Whoever replaces Ferguson should be given ample time as he was given.
No comments:
Post a Comment