There is a similar sense of disbelief at the unexpected departure of Manchester United’s long-time coach Sir Alex Ferguson. Like Nepal’s monarchs, Ferguson—who helped the Red Devils to two Champions League and 13 Premiership titles during his 26 years as head coach—was often compared to god for his improbable achievements, and not always favorably. His legions of followers endlessly debated silly questions like: “What is the difference between Alex Ferguson and God?” in internet forums. “Alex Ferguson is real. Sadly,” one poster wryly observed. [break]
Again, like the Nepali monarchs, Ferguson could be a divisive figure, reputed for his legendary temper tantrums, none more famous than his ‘boot’ on the face of the most marketable sportsperson on the planet, David Beckham, following the team’s unexpected FA Cup loss to Arsenal in 2003. But unlike the contested legacy of Nepali monarchs, Alex Ferguson’s contribution to the spectacular rise of Manchester United as the famous sports brand in the world is indisputable, acknowledged by the football fraternity and beyond.
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The reason Ferguson’s retirement came as such a shock to his fans was because he seemed to be in no mood to bow out even a couple of months ago. Ahead of this year’s Champions League Round of 16 match against Real Madrid, he would write , “… a packed Old Trafford, the floodlights on, the pitch glistening and two of the greatest and most romantic clubs in the game about to do battle.”
“People ask me why I don’t retire after so many years in the game, but how could anyone with an ounce of passion for football in their soul voluntarily walk away from the opportunity to be involved in this kind of occasion?”
Millions of football fans have been first-hand witness to Ferguson’s immense love for the game and the passion with which he pursued his coaching at Manchester United. Even after 26 years on the job, he restlessly patrolled Old Trafford sidelines, furiously chewing on his trademark gum, barking out orders to his players and jumping up and down at every Manchester goal, his plump cheeks flushing deep red with excitement.
When Ferguson announced his retirement earlier this week, it was not just a big surprise for Man U fans. The club’s shares tumbled as investors started speculating about the uncertain road ahead.
But having achieved just about everything in his long and illustrious career, it was understandable that the proud Scot would want to exit the stage on a high. And what better occasion to do so than right after sealing his 13th Premier League crown?
Football is big business, and the EPL is undoubtedly the most competitive of all big leagues in Europe. In this ultra-competitive business, it is rare for players to stay with the same club for half a decade. Mangers are routinely shown the door if they fail to deliver within months. In this dog-eat-dog world, for someone to have survived the pressure of coaching the most famous football club in the world for 26 years at a stretch is almost inconceivable, as improbable as a fairytale.
But even fairytales end. Sooner or later even the invincible Ferguson had to step down. The question now is: Who will step up to fill his larger than life shoes?
Everton’s David Moyes is odds on favorite. The mercurial Jose Mourinho as well as Jurgen Klopp, who has almost single-handedly engineered Borussia Dortmund’s route to this year’s Champions League final, are also being spoken as possible replacements. But make no mistake, much like Nepal has been undergoing a painful transition after the overthrow of the established old order, it could take Man U long time to come to terms with Ferguson’s departure.
Ferguson was a comeback king, who could inspire his players to overcome incredible odds. One of my most memorable Manchester United moments came at the end of the 1999 Champions League Final at Camp Nou, Barcelona. After trailing for most of the game, the team scored two injury time goals to win 2-1 against the indefatigable Bayern Munich. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s 93rd minute tuck-in from Beckham’s corner is still a stuff of Champions League legend.
It will feel strange to witness Man U take to the field without Ferguson at the touchline. But the team will have to move on. Nepal is desperately crying out for a statesman to take the country out of the deep mire it now finds itself in. What Nepal is looking for is a Ferguson of its own, someone with a vision to take his team forward. Sadly, leaders like Alex Ferguson are as rare in sports as they are in politics.
The writer is the op-ed editor at Republica.
biswas.baral@gmail.com
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