“Sometimes I would come home with a broken head or blue eyes”

It is the autobiography of a supermanager, full of anecdotes and honest opinions. Sir Alex Fergusonreached the age of 83. And the words of the Scottish senior explain the psychology of management in the reader's language, offering inspiration not only to those who are a phenomenon, but also to those who want to rise in life.

The artisan of some seismic changes to Manchester United for 28 years until 2013, phenomenally competent, with extraordinary energy and ability to build, manage and shape superstars, Ferguson began his story in Govan, a shipbuilding district in Glasgow.

Sir Alex Ferguson on his early days: “The pub taught me about people”

The man, who said “I absolutely hate defeat, you don't behave on the battlefield like you go to church”, revealed what built his prodigious career: “Pubs gave me a lot of my early experiences. I ran two, even when I was manager at St Mirren. I went into the legal alcohol trade, one frequented by dockers. Pubs taught me a lot about people, dreams and their frustrations. We were scrubbing floors, but we were making money.”

456of pages is “My Autobiography” (45 lei), by Sir Alex Ferguson, the Romanian edition, from the Publica publishing house

Do you see Sir Alex Ferguson picking on drunks? “I was coming home with a broken head”

He gave up the caves once with the position of manager at Aberdeen.

“I didn't have time to deal with drunkards or keep accounts. I could write a book from what I saw. Dockers would come in on Sunday mornings with their wives after they'd been paid on Friday night and put their money in my safe behind the bar. I felt like a millionaire.”

He has lasting memories of a youth spent among people of great character and courage in the face of fate: “Sometimes I would come home with a broken head or black eyes. When there was too much exuberance or when fights broke out, I had to jump to clean things up. I got one more in the chin, to separate the protagonists. What a wonderful life it was! The characters, the comedy show.”

As a kid, I was a young agitator raising money for an apprentice strike. To call my ramblings “speech” is to embellish them with some oratorical qualities they certainly lacked. I cut off the request for sums of money with some bombastic phrases
Sir Alex Ferguson

The principles of a lord of football, in Sir Alex Ferguson's decalogue

1. “The players like the manager to be a man. There is a reward. The footballer will think. «1. Can he make us winners? 2. Can he make us better? 3. Is he loyal to us?». If you answer yes to all three questions, they will let you assassinate them”

2. “Don't fall in love with football players, because they will put horns on you. The moment a player thinks he is bigger than the manager, then you no longer have a club. The players will be in charge, and you will cause trouble. Authority is what matters. It is not possible for a footballer to lead in the dressing room”

3. “Teams reflect the character of their manager. Never give up: it's a great religion. I never give up. I've always believed that I can save myself from any situation”

4. “You can spend a lot of money on a lot of hopefuls who won't be good enough. Better to spend on one player of undisputed class”

5. “Top football games are generally won by 8 footballers. Three players can be carried off if they have been drinking all night and are dragging their feet. Perfection is only achieved when all 11 are singing in harmony.”

6. “The motto of the Ferguson clan in Scotland is «Dulcius ex asperis», meaning «Sweeter after obstacles». This optimism has served me well in my 39 years of football management”

7. “I like people who can apologize. In today's self-centered culture, people forget that there is such a word as “apology.''”

8. “Some people wake up and lie in bed. I could never do that. I wake up and jump out of bed. I'm ready to go somewhere. I don't lie in bed. You got your sleep, that's why you woke up.”

9. “I don't waste. If my grandchildren leave something on the plate, I eat the rest”

10. “Despite my image of a man who wanted obedience all the time, I loved those who had something devilish about them. You also need a little cheekiness”

In two situations I was invited to take over the England national team. Can you imagine me doing one like that? A Scotsman? I've always joked that I'd take over and demote them: I'd take them to 150th in the world, with Scotland 149th. It wasn't a bed of nails I'd be tempted to lie down on
Sir Alex Ferguson

A different Sir Alex Ferguson, always attracted by politics, history and rare things

Hobbies of a total trainer: horse racing, he is the owner of some superb specimens, breed champions, biographies of dictators, wine collector. After “drinking” something with friends, he started playing Frank Sinatra's songs.

Sir Alex was also Tony Blair's confidant, with the former English prime minister seeking his advice. He was always attracted by politics and history, having original documents from the American Civil War or from the death of JFK.

Ferguson received a special retirement gift from the team. At Rio Ferdinand's initiative, the watch-loving coach received a Rolex from 1941, the year he was born, suitable to show 3:03 pm, the exact minute he was born in Glasgow on December 31.

At Sir Alex's last match at Old Trafford, the stadium announcer dedicated two songs to him. Suggestions. “My way” by Frank Sinatra and “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole.

38of trophies won by Sir Alex with Man United, domestically and internationally, including 13 Premier Leagues and two Champions Leagues (1999, 2008)

218goals scored in 415 career games as a centre-forward for Queen's Park, St. Johnstone, Dunfermline, Rangers, Falkirk and Ayr United

10trophies he won with Abeerden, including two in Europe, the Cup Winners' Cup and the Super Cup, before making history with United

Sir Alex Ferguson's reactions to important people he has faced: wine with Mourinho and secrets of Beckham and Ronaldo

Sir Alex has a “special” relationship with Jose Mourinho. “I am «The special one»”, he said in 2004. “What a naughty nuisance, I said to myself when I saw him entertaining the press. An inner voice told me: the new kid in the neighborhood, young man, there's no point in taking him seriously. But he's a very smart boy. One of those guys on a surfboard, who can stay on the crest of the wave more than anyone else,” he said the Scotsman.

Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho last year at Euro 2024

After one of the many bottles of Barca-Velha they drank together, Ferguson told friend Jose in 2008: “I might retire, there comes a time when you get old.” Mourinho told him: “Don't withdraw, you stimulate me!”.

Then, the praise, but also the truth about Cristiano Ronaldo: “He was the most gifted player I ever worked with. He's a magician. He transformed from the smug little guy who was desperate to show everyone how good he was. No matter how many dispossessions or fouls he suffered, his reaction was the same: “Don't take me out of the game, I'm Ronaldo”.

At first, when he was hooked, he screamed: «Aaauuu». The players filled it with spit. He soon learned not to fuss. He understood that others are not spectators of his amateur theater”.

David Beckham was like his son. “The only footballer I ever coached who wasn't the least bit affected by his mistakes. He could have the worst game possible and he wouldn't think he did anything wrong. He would send you out for a walk, telling you you were wrong. He was incredibly protective. He would never admit he had a bad game.”

You go to see United for the goals and the drama. Your heart is tested. Is there any other club in the world that can give you more heart stopping moments than Manchester United?
Sir Alex Ferguson

What makes the difference in the last third? Decision making, under pressure, that's football. If I were to do it all over again, I would force every player to learn chess
Sir Alex Ferguson