SIR ALEX FERGUSON

Sir Alex Ferguson has been the rock around which the new dynasty at Manchester United has been built.Since arriving at the club in 1986, he has been the architect behind the creation of the biggest football club in the world.
Born in Glasgow to a Protestant, working class family, his leadership skills first came to the fore as a shop steward in the Clyde shipyards, when Ferguson led an unofficial walk-out over a pay dispute.
However, his first love has always been football.
Ferguson cut a reasonably impressive figure in a 16-year playing career.
The most infamous incident for Ferguson the player came when he was with Rangers and was made a scapegoat in the team's humiliating 4-0 defeat against arch rivals Celtic in the 1969 Cup final.

MANAGEMENT
As a rumbustious striker, the Scot never remotely possessed the playing prowess of some of the most celebrated names in the game.

But as a manager he has received plaudits a plenty, and on top of the trophies he has accumulated over a 26-year period, Ferguson was knighted shortly after the treble triumph in 1999.

He started out with St Mirren in 1975 before joining Aberdeen three years later.


In the granite city his tough-talking, hands-on approach was a winner.

While at Pittodrie, Ferguson smashed the Celtic-Rangers "Old Firm" monopoly, winning three championships, four Scottish Cups and the European Cup Winners' Cup in six years.

Known for his fiery temper, he also won the reputation of a fiercely loyal coach who invests time and effort in star players and apprentices alike.
STYLE
His management style has been thoroughly analysed by lovers of the sport.

They have attributed his success to factors as diverse as a "working class ability" to asses the qualities of men around him, and "tunnel vision".

Whatever his given talents, Ferguson, who is married to Cathy and a father of three grown-up sons, also puts in the hours.

He is usually at the training ground by 0730 and regularly works 18-hour days.

He is also loyal to his players, although never shy to give them a blast of his temper.

For someone so consumed by football, it may come as a surprise that he has outside interests.

He owns a racehorse and has been a high-profile campaigner for Tony Blair and the Labour party.

After performing miracles at Aberdeen and Manchester United, "Fergie" is now a British footballing icon.

He has equalled and arguably surpassed Busby's record at Old Trafford.

FACTFILE
Born: 31 December 1941
Ferguson the player
1958-60: Queens Park
1960-64: St Johnstone
1964-67: Dunfermline
1967-69: Rangers
1969-73: Falkirk
1973-74: Ayr United
Ferguson the manager
1975-78: St. Mirren
1978-86: Aberdeen
1986-present: Man Utd