Sir Alex Ferguson on being offered the England job | Guardian Live

At a Guardian Live event, Sir Alex Ferguson talks about being offered the England job, the pressures facing football managers and why he would never leave Manchester United. Sir Alex has just published a new book, Leading, and was talking to Dan Walker at Bridgewater Hall, Manchester.
Subscribe to Guardian Membership ► bit.ly/subgdnme...
Become a Guardian member ► membership.the...?CMP=sco-7
Guardian Membership ► bit.ly/membeshi...
Find out about Guardian events ► membership.the...
Playlists
The Whole Picture ► • The Whole Picture
Highlights ► • Highlights
The Observer Festival of Ideas ► • The Observer Festival ...
The Guardian on KZbin:
The Guardian ► / theguardian
Guardian Football ► / guardianfootball
Guardian Music ► / guardianmusic
Guardian Tech ► / gdntech
Guardian Food ► / guardianfood
Guardian Culture ► / guardianculturearts

[@jackgallagher1963]

He is and was Manchester United simple as that

[@newtonmunenekaibiria6623]

Jack Gallagher I agree

[@lloydgear5903]

Uranus which one ?

[@greyest3614]

He is Scottish simple as that

[@BenjaminJamesCook12]

I thought there was a hair on my screen and tried to wipe it away. Nice profile pic -_-

[@ethaniol81i68]

And rangers

[@sce2aux464]

"...other than the fact...I couldn't go back to Scotland."

[@palepilgrim1174]

Funny, but kind of sad there's some truth to it. I'm from Scotland and wouldn't have a problem coaching or even playing for England. We're the closest people to one another in the world, and half our country was considered English for most of history.

[@johnrab5302]

Pale Pilgrim half the country r u mad Scotland been Scotland for for 600+ years ya mad yin

[@palepilgrim1174]

@@johnrab5302 Yes, you've been called 'Scotland'. France is named after the Franks (Germanic confederation). North Macedonia (South Slavic people) is named after Ancient Greeks. Bulgari (also a South Slavic people) is named after Turkic nomads. Sensing a pattern here?

[@palepilgrim1174]

@@johnrab5302 If I call myself Polish does that magically make me Polish? If Hans Mueller calls himself Polish while only being able to speak German, is he Polish? Pretty sure most Poles would laugh at the suggestion, and Germans.

[@palepilgrim1174]

@@johnrab5302 I guess modern Americans are also the indigenous peoples of the Americans, lmao. Since they have the same name, right?

[@aagrille7222]

The man could say absolutely anything and I’d still love him!

[@FixedPixelYT]

I was lucky enough to be in a small group of people talking to Sir Alex when one person asked if he'd ever considered managing England, his answer surprised me but also totally didn't at the same time. He said he loved the English game despite being a proud Scot, and that he always secretly and very quietly cheered the English on at every tournament. But he was already managing the majority of England players within Man Utd, and he WAS Man Utd, he couldn't give up that club for so little gain. Great manager, respect from a Leicester fan.

[@FixedPixelYT]

@@timothyrice9700 Yeah it's a lie mate, based purely on the fact you can't believe it's fact. I know it's the internet and everything but unless you've got evidence in trying to take a great memory of mine away from me, kindly stop breathing - cheers.

[@palepilgrim1174]

I do too, tbh. We're practically the same people, mate. Very, very little differences and any that do exist are usually hyperinflated by a few nutters on either side, IMO...

[@shanet5604]

And you cite what seminar/setting was this ?? Troll on…

[@BECKZMC]

He is right about the press. The media put too much pressure on England's manager and all the players. That's where the bad results come from still to this day.

[@namwodahs1403]

Came back to watch this after the Newcastle game. Man I miss the old times.

[@ueldinho24]

杨宇晗 😏 that’s the past im ready for a NEW UNITED in the coming future i can’t wait to see the old attacking football again... Football.....bloody hell

[@C145-f9w]

JSH MUN how many times have you said that though

[@ueldinho24]

C145 wdym?

[@C145-f9w]

JSH MUN how many times have united fans said there back or on there way back to Lead to nothing

[@ueldinho24]

C145 idk but i know they are

[@redavid8759]

Italy won 4 times not 3, anyway for me he remains the coach of the coaches big time.

[@lukas_jay243]

Well.... once lol. 1934 Mussolinis refs won it 1982, Brazil lost it, and 3 draws in Rnd 1 06, The were slightly less worse than everyone else. Cheated against Australia. 😛

[@alessandromalinverno7097]

Lukas_Jay with that logic then france didnt win in 1998 becoz brazil lost it without ronaldo. Who r u kidding when u say we were slightly worse than everyone else? Buffon, Cannavaro, Gattuso, Pirlo, Totti, Del Piero. Ur right. Slightly worse, lol. And lets give the scenario that i agree with ur argument. Then that means South Korea won becoz of the ref.

[@lukas_jay243]

@@alessandromalinverno7097 Because you were less worse than every one else. Italy as you say had all those World Class players, so when you had to cheat against Australia that was sour. By the way, South Korea did only win because of the ref. Do you remember the matches against your team and Spain? It's common knowledge that Korea cheated past two teams.

[@Mammadronicus_Rex]

@@lukas_jay243 Your comment is incredibly stupid, sad and useless at same time...must be hard watch 1 game every 4 years and thinking of being a football expert

[@lukas_jay243]

@@Mammadronicus_Rex What if I told you, I have hundreds of hours of World Cup footage going back to 70?

[@ZAY109]

He was too good for England.

[@jodilici]

Luckly lucky guy. What about his picks for Utd's new manager and for the England job. Real insight.

[@ianreed7605]

😂😂😂😂😂 too good 😂😂😂😂 I like that. I really do. He was so good in fact that maybe he could have been manager of Wrexham and made them premier league champions? I reckon he could have done that if he was given £100 billion and a thousand years 👌

[@dafergy]

Well he won a European trophy with Aberdeen with no money.

[@allbies]

Talk about a chip on your shoulder. England probably had the best team on paper if you look at club level 2004-2010 only rivaled by Spain, but there were many problems come time to play for the country.

[@road3547]

Can you imagine

[@Adam-cj2jg]

Greatest of all time and everyone knows it

[@thepatriot4351]

2 CL wins both flucks 2 CL finals got batterd by Pep Gardiola

[@Adam-cj2jg]

The Patriot if you can't spell properly your opinion is automatically invalid, loser

[@Buz-Lunch-Punx]

@@thepatriot4351 The point is that Ferguson was actually in the final unlike every other manager in the competition

[@Qhsjahajw]

The Patriot like pep didnt cheat

[@Anonymous-xr8hx]

@@Adam-cj2jg says the guy who used a comma wrong 😂😂😂 oh the irony

[@dannymac23]

Look, nobody is perfect, but Sir Alex was pretty damn close. The simple fact is, from 1986, he began to manage a struggling United team & turn it 180 degrees to manufacture a global dynasty, using his own knowledge & ethics. Why on earth would anybody take on the poisoned chalice England job? ... yet alone Sir Alex, who had the biggest club in the world on his hands. Imagine yourself choosing what to do.. continue managing a world beating club team that is competing for numerous major trophies every season ... or manage a jinxed England team that had world class talent, but couldn’t play together to save their lives! ... 😂

[@mannion7646]

Let alone

[@iamsoldierf8316]

Dmackett91 they made a mistake sacking Brian Clough after 66 days. The end.

[@alone2break]

I would personally think england golden generation could trophies with alex ferguson..

[@TimVolkovPhD]

Yep. But he was given a lot of leeway. Something people seem to be reluctant to give Ole these days

[@benjaminwright3340]

Dmackett91 he also won Aberdeen 2 European titles

[@YerDa67]

There was only one country the man wanted to manage, and it wasn’t the Auld Enemy. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@elijahvictorious6569]

As a Liverpool fan I’ve got nothing but respect for this man. He was an amazing manger 👏🏻👏🏻

[@LenoGabriel]

I'm Liverpool too and totally agree with you!

[@JULIA-e7k]

Put long held rivalries behind That is the spirit😮😊

[@lnfused]

As a lifelong Liverpool fan, I can attest that Sir Alex Ferguson is the best ever. He owns my small club

[@elijahvictorious6569]

A 'small' club that spanked yours 7-0 😂😂 and which is bigger in every way 👍@@lnfused

[@lnfused]

@@elijahvictorious6569 My small club has won 1 league title in 31 years. I sadly have to admit that United are massive and we are cup merchants. If the champions league wasn’t held in such high regard we would be the equivalent of spurs

[@scottc9100]

He’s the proudest Scot on the planet, no way would he ever take that job.

[@9Sheep]

Genius. Wish he was still our boss.

[@declanhampson1098]

0:59 that’s the difference between then and now. I just don’t think that the motivation is there now.

[@reginaanim8287]

The best manager of all

[@edsmithmusic951]

Subtitles are not your friend, here.

[@ggkoomz]

I think the fact that they approached him twice, highlights the difference in mentality between us scots and the english folk. They wanted him for his managerial excellence first and foremost and wouldn't have thought much about where he's from etc. If the shoe was on the other foot and the SFA wanted an English manager for the Scotland team, I don't think many english folk would care so much.

[@seankelly378]

The man who offered him the job was Scottish . He was at Manchester United with one of the greatest most successful teams ever . I doubt an Englishman would’ve left either

[@Ryan-kn6xd]

Spoken like a true Scotsman

[@chrisohagan4825]

Scottish are hardcore ... when they fall in love with something .... it's for life not just for paper .... From Ireland 🇮🇪🇮🇪 Ur Brothers

[@liquidgeorge]

Miss Sir Alex being in that dugout so much.

[@kevinsinclair1222]

He is right. The biggest issue with the England job at the time was the players. Too difficult to manage that group. No wonder Southgate is doing better with one of the most average England sides I have ever seen.

[@wardis8303]

As a Liverpool fan, Alex is the greatest manager ever, who would leave a big club like Man U to take on the poison chalice of England manager

[@johngemmell572]

The greatest! And deep down everyone knows it.

[@ThePAULOPABLO]

Bob Paisley was better 13 major trophies including 3 European cups in only 9 years. 6 league titles in 9 years rather than 13 in 26 years.

[@11cookeaw14]

@@ThePAULOPABLO Bob Paisley was handed an already very strong team that had a lot of recent success. Alex Ferguson took charge of a Man united that was sitting around the relegation zone. Though it took him a few years to achieve success, once he did Man United dominated english football for longer then any team had before. Then there's his previous success at Aberdeen, being the last person to win the scottish leuage with a team outside of the Old firm, and winning the Cup Winners Cup. A feat that would be impressive enough at the helm of Rangers or Celtic, but to do so with a Scottish team from out side the Old firm was nothing should of a miracle. (Rangers have 54 leuage titles, Celtic have 50, all the other socttish teams combinded have 19)

[@Adam-cj2jg]

palusKeg Paisley never won the FA cup LOL. Never rebuilt a team, never managed for more than 9 years. Try 27 at the biggest club in England... no match for SAF

[@ahmedrahim2500]

@@ThePAULOPABLO salty liverpool fan.

[@williamhurley8407]

Look at where we were when he arrived, and look at what has happened since he retired, thats speaks multitudes.

[@shanet5604]

They were a top 4 side for a few years before he did,they were just on a terrible low as results showed early season,he knew the long term plan though and Moyes made a balls of his coming in by not keeping the backroom staff that were there and instead brought his own in to play like Everton !! And it’s been a catch up since dude !

[@StefanNield12]

Even with Fergie at the helm, England would still need a miracle 😂

[@yreally5139]

Maybe fergie could break england curse😂🤣

[@TakerKaneanite619]

I agree with him not taking the England job. Why ruin your legacy, for an international job that the media give out a lot of shtick about.

[@splitters2477]

God I miss this bloke... if I ever met him,(which I never will) I would have to give him a big hug...

[@road3547]

Fair enough. Managing England and a club in Football is two completely different challenges.

[@TomRedman86]

A good manager would've got us close in 2006, would've been a great time to take the job. Still, we wouldn't have actually won the World Cup and the England job will never be as prestigious as managing Manchester United, footballing royalty. But England WILL win the Euros one day. COE!

[@bighands69]

If you are an old man you are not going to see England win the Euros. England have no players because the EPL is not producing players. England has lost its skillful football. They have sacrificed it for end to end rush and kick.

[@tomgarify]

bighands69 ......

[@luisgorgulho9747]

bighands69 actually England are now on the cusp of winning a major trophy.

[@luisgorgulho9747]

@wildebest if you think i meant the nations league then you're wrong. If you look at how England play and how the rest of Europe are in transition, minus a couple of teams then England are on the cusp

[@kcgamesforlife3509]

I mean England is currently rated the 4th best in europe and 5th in the world so we could easily get one in the coming years if things go well and theirs decent players coming through atm

[@cloudy7292]

Italy 4 times not 3!

[@zaidninja5881]

If he managed Scotland it would be amazing

[@aceharris1463]

Zaid Ninja He did for a brief time after Jock Stein died. However, I don’t think he recovered from his friend and mentor dying in the job. He had to tell Jock’s wife. Plus, United came calling the same year. And Jock had always told Fergie that he regretted not taking the United job in 1972 when it was offered to him.

[@richarddavies5674]

@@aceharris1463 I didn't know jock had the offer for United. Would have been interesting to see of he could compete with liverpool at the time

[@petermendes5938]

I'm an Arsenal fan since 84 but this Sir Alex is a legend in football

[@John414]

Respect ✊🏻. Greetings from Chelsea fan 💙

[@Federicofara439]

Ferguson on the england job: A young Manager wouldn't do Southgate: 🧔🏻

[@Kuromueina.]

4-0 to Hungary ☠️

[@louiseball577]

England would if won another few world cups with this LEGEND!!!

[@caitlinbrennan9039]

Another few?😂

[@serdaragirbas7487]

Expectation too high. Stop dreaming, put a young team together grow it nurture it, create unity drive and ambition. Put the hard years of work in. Then maybe just maybe a slight chance.

[@serdaragirbas7487]

@eoe123321 Wet

[@djpharaohz]

A true scotsman 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@CuciWaterjet]

We love your forever sir ale, pure genius

[@Gypsy_Danger_TMC]

Brilliant assessment of the England Job

[@cocofresh6974]

This was deep.. I like what he said about England, theres too much press to much hype. In fact even though hodgson may not have given england progress he indirectly removed the pressure and the poor team chemistry. After his departure and their brexit coming twice lol it sparked a need for change, overhauling the team, media and thats what southgate did young and charismatic but played an average squad yet he reached the semis of the world cup.

[@neilpearce]

Well, how much I love this man (being a UTD fan), Southgate just proved him wrong about England. You don't need a older manager.

[@samd3046]

Neil Pearce England had an easy run in

[@Payne..]

Southgate hasn't done any better I don't see any trophies.

[@FionaMacdonald-p9p]

Southgate has won what exactly?

[@Arad2745]

I've been watching football for over 15 20 years now and has been watching almost every interview of this guy. I still cannot understand him.!!

[@FionaMacdonald-p9p]

Yet you still watch.Your not the sharpest tool in the shed,are you?

[@simonlee498]

Y'all forget this man got like Chadwick a premier League medal... He's make your local pub team into champions League contenders

[@oliverread2532]

Roy hodgeson was awful though. And Gareth Southgate is brilliant. We probably won’t win anything, it’s too difficult, but he gets a modern team together and that’s progression

[@Payne..]

That's the problem football's about winning things Hodgson didn't win anything but neither has Southgate and probably won't.

[@mikeliterous2733]

If you gave him the golden generation World Cup won

[@kevlarvesty1195]

Scotland national team would fucking love u to take the job sir alex

[@JoshuaMSP1995]

He did.

[@ggamr10]

The greatest EVER right there.

[@AbdulBasit-in7hh]

Spot on Sir Alex

[@ggully3321]

I really miss you father

[@drrd4127]

Fergie takes England Job. England Vs Scotland. Fergie sets up the England team to lose. 🤣😂😅

[@slightly-biased]

Which year he gave this interview? (He said Italy won it 3 times.)

[@jesusmoses3664]

❤❤THE BOSS❤❤ love you boss from iran

[@Samboy666]

Haha look how well roy did and a bright young man in Southgate did

[@vishaljudemichael2394]

Tbh both did nothing.

[@jjking9513]

Bless Fergie, the mans a legend through and through but in terms of judging good managers......not so great. Recommended Moyes, and then says Roy Hodgson is the perfect England manager and young managers wouldn't work....Gareth Southgate.

[@Payne..]

Although England played well under Southgate in the world cup we still didn't win anything so he's done no better than hodgson in terms of winning anything with England.

[@jjking9513]

@@Payne.. numpty

[@aceharris1463]

No, he said Roy was the perfect age.

[@keithlard3544]

I feel you have misunderstood what he actually means.

[@ruzenmazn1823]

He recommended Moyes because there wasn't any managers available dude do the research. All the top managers now Carlo,Pep,Jurgen Fergie tried to convince all no one was ready. And YOUNG GARETH SOUTHGATE is doing wonders now isn't he?

[@stonedscotsman8359]

2nd best manager of all time behind Jock Stein.

[@evilscotsman495]

Utter tripe

[@markwatkins8309]

Brilliant club manager but his Scotland manager spell is never mentioned!

[@YerDa67]

Tough boots to fill after the legendary Jock Stein.

[@robertlepper5460]

Caretaker role

[@baywatchrules12]

But an Australian is doing wonders managing our England Rugby Team, most English supporters could only dream of having fergie!!

[@bighands69]

Wonders? The national team will not win the world cup it is that simple. English Rugby has lost its brand of attacking rugby. It has gone down the route of 15 big beef cafes trying to smash defences.

[@ZolaMagic25]

Lol still working wonders. Someone must really like him.

[@supercas46]

Italy have won the World Cup 4 times Fergie.

[@sbc1t]

He cant remember back in 1934.

[@TheManUnitedFTW]

Stolen from Austria in 1934

[@vitafituk]

1934,1938, 1982, 2006. Runners Up 1970 1994

[@alessandromalinverno7097]

Alexander Russo u also forgot how we were cheated against south korea. Meanwhile, england only won it in 1960 😂

[@ecocontest3102]

Sorry, but in 1934 1938 No South American power houses were invited to play in World Cup. OK Brazil was invited but had to spend a month on a ship havinf to play soon after landing in Europe. Sorry, 1930's weren't World Cup. I wouldn't brag winning it during the 30's.

[@sephiroth399]

where's the full thing?

[@mrsoikawa]

So if once was presumably in 2001 when Crozier was FA chairman, when was the second time?

[@A-small-amount-of-peas]

Even if he took the job he would have never got on with English FA

[@robertbolder5319]

I always hear that press and supporters always expect England to win the World Cup and Ferguson says it here. I don't know 1 person or read 1 serious article that said England were going to win the next World Cup.

[@judethedude96]

Italy actually won it 4 times

[@danb7856]

He was the vince lombardi of football

[@seanmc3017]

Fergie is one of the GOATs but even he wouldn’t have won anything with England. Culture of failure is too deeply etched in now.

[@darrylliu.]

Trust me, fergie would win everything with england. The man could make bloody west ham PL champions

[@azapro911]

Fergie's the greatest manager of all-time, but to be honest I wouldn't want a Scotsman managing England, any more than I wanted a Swede or Italian. Call me old-fashioned, but at international level that just doesn't sit right.

[@callummcgregorenthusiast5545]

I agree, I'd always want a Scot managing Scotland too.

[@pranavkhanna3352]

best ever

[@tfootball8704]

He could of managed Man Utd and England

[@easilyamused4807]

International Management is a poisoned Chalice on these shores. Hence the reason both Scotland and more so England have felt the need to bring in Foreign experience.

[@sinasedighi6258]

Love. Football

[@Billzloveschelsea]

I think after utd he should have taken the job at West ham football club to prove if he is a world class coach

[@thomasandersen6719]

He had nothing left to prove and he was in his early 70's...

[@Billzloveschelsea]

@@thomasandersen6719 he has alot to prove.

[@thomasandersen6719]

@@Billzloveschelsea In what way?

[@tonydebua]

GOAT manager.

[@moonfly1]

I just can't get along with the idea that a national team can be managed by a manager that doesn't come from that country. The national team should be managed by someone from that country.

[@AlexanderRivera23]

Sir Alex Ferguson is the Phil Jackson of coaching in soccer

[@iaintmadatcha]

who the hell is phil jackson? its not soccer its football mate

[@phdotsco]

phil who?

[@ratatat-tat6160]

I hear you Alexander. And completely agree.

[@AlexanderRivera23]

right???

[@AlexanderRivera23]

***** um bro we are not comparing it to American football we are comparing football with basketball

[@steverichards575]

How about taking the England job now ?

[@jackcooper3307]

Italy have actually won four world cups

[@jimmymcgregor3900]

Jock Stein taught him all he knows when it came to man management

[@republicofhandball8815]

he said well, for England it's impossible to win World Cup or Euro, these are just too hard to win ...

[@brendanohare4123]

Barry,Heskey,Hart,Walcott,Milner,Wright-Phillips,Mills...These are the players that would never have gotten close to the squad Scholes,Carrick,Butt,Defoe,Drinkwater,Carragher...These are the players that would never have been misused under Fergie. When an unfit,out of form Wilshere went to the Euro's ahead of a Prem winning,in form Drinkwater,it finally hit home. England managers don't pick the squad.The sponsors of the England team do.

[@roberth1322]

Fergie's right about the press, in terms of an England manager, it's generally horrific, but Hodgson was the wrong fit, they're doing about what they should expect to do with Southgate - they could have far far worse managers.

[@Luciano123-s7r]

Sir Alex Italy won the world Cup 4 times 1934, 1938, 1982, 2006, just saying...

[@DanFernandesBenficaSaint]

Dr. Andrew Kaufman. Research him and listen to what he has to say.

[@nymets9559]

Just shows you no one really knows anything.....Gareth Southgate is a young manager and has been the most successful England manager in 28 years 🤔

[@Payne..]

But hasn't won anything we got far in the last world cup but they bottled it to Croatia.

[@exentr]

True about the press. I am from continental Europe but I think very few english papers are serious. It's like they come to their right when England fail and they can be nasty. Simply coz the lack of proper language, respect and seriousity.

[@blehoo1]

GOAT followed closely behind by Cloughie

[@oof8850]

i wonder if he would take it if it was GB team

[@ryang2923]

Probably but we will never know

[@chrissidwell5600]

How sad is it we will never see fergie manage a team again 😥

[@thomasjones2415]

Fergie Told England 2 Fuck Off I Will Never Betray My Country As Fergie Once Said, Cheers Thomas,

[@benmatheson1189]

A lot of things are wrong what he says.The press dont make us favourites to win tournaments and I dont believe they have done since 2008

[@mike.cdn7212]

I think ever since we've been in the social media era the English press has been more negative than positive. But during my younger days the English press would always label themselves favorites when the rest of the world knew that was foolish.

[@benmatheson1189]

@Hamish Munroe if you open your ears and listen to the question hes saying why do England managers fail in present times since 2006 we haven't been favourite for tournaments it's a standard easy answer that everyone gives

[@m.p.7075]

The endorsement of Roy Hodgson as England manager didn’t age so well. Or....maybe from his point of view it did....the canny auld Scot that he is.

[@billclinton5870]

Imagine Fergie as England manager we would have won a world cup and a Euro

[@thomasjones2415]

England Wood Have Been Below Scotland In The World Rankings, If Fergie Had Been Manager,

[@ozman06]

It's surprising how true he is about the expectations killing the England team . Take the pressure cooker off and they're very different.

[@vitafituk]

Italy have won it 4 times.

[@michaeldacoata2208]

He would have done a better job than those pancies that were hired...

[@edmundironside9435]

I wonder how many drinks he'd had at this point

[@elijahdaniel8058]

its actually sad to see a club that used to dominate england and europe becoming what it is now. It must be horrible to see for Alex Ferguson

[@brianstones6234]

Why would Sir Alex take a step down to manage England? Manchester United are the top of mountain&England is at best a base camp midway up! Sounds rude but its my truth!

[@stretfordenders4013]

He’s too glamorous for poor England

[@nintendosealed]

Epic