Sir Alex Ferguson has made some big statements in his new book and the former Manchester United boss has called out a Premier League club fanbase.
Ferguson became the most successful manager in English football history during 26 and a half years at Old Trafford. He won 13 titles, two UEFA Champions League trophies and took United to an unprecedented treble in 1999.
The 84-year-old retired in 2013 and the Red Devils have since experienced a fall from grace, failing to win a title in 13 years that have followed. He retained the support of fans throughout his tenure, which wasn’t the case for his longtime managerial counterpart Arsene Wenger at Arsenal.
Ferguson: Wenger Was Trapped at Arsenal
Ferguson’s greatest managerial, Wenger, took the reins at Arsenal in 1996 and spent over 21 years in charge of the Gunners. The French tactician oversaw three Premier League title wins, including in 2003-04 when they went unbeaten, earning the tag ‘Invincibles’.
That’s a feat Ferguson has previously insisted is a bigger achievement than any of his. The pair have held a strong friendship since the latter stages of their managerial careers.
So much so, that in his new memoir ‘Games of My Life’, Ferguson hit out at Arsenal fans’ treatment of Wenger during the end stages of his reign. The North London outfit endured a difficult period after moving from Highbury to the Emirates, going nine years without a trophy until 2014.
Ferguson suggested that Wenger put pressure on himself by continuing to commit his future to the club despite the financial difficulties that came with the stadium move: “I’m glad I never felt such pressure at Old Trafford. The banks even made a contract extension for Arsene a condition of their financing. He was trapped.”
A section of Arsenal supporters called for Wenger to leave in the early 2010’s particularly when fan TV arrived and debates were held outside of the Emirates. In 2013, fans unfurled a banner reading: ‘Arsene thanks for the memories but it’s time to say goodbye’ but he stayed on for a further five years.
Ferguson added: “The way he was treated by some Arsenal fans at the end of his managerial career was a stain on the club’s reputation.”
The former United coach also put the Gunners’ struggles down to the Emirates move from which he benefited. Top players ended up departing, including Robin van Persie, whom he lured to Old Trafford in 2012 to help him win the title once last time.
Manchester City also took advantage of the situation after their 2008 takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group. Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Adebayor, Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri all left Wenger to become part of the new project at the Etihad.
Cesc Fabregas, Thierry Henry and Alexander Hleb swapped North London for Catalonia, joining Barcelona in successive summers. Despite this, Wenger stayed loyal to the Gunners, opting to stay put and deal with the financial repercussions of building and playing in a new 60,000-capacity stadium.
Wenger: Criticism A Disgrace’ I’ll Never Forget
Wenger made his feelings clear over fan protests back in 2017 when the noise became impossible for him to ignore. Just days before taking Arsenal to Wembley for an FA Cup final, he finally broke his silence over the calls for him to leave a job he’d held since the nineties.
The Frenchman said (via BBC Sport): “I believe there’s a difference between being criticised and being treated in a way that human beings don’t deserve. The lack of respect from some has been a disgrace and I will never accept that. I will never forget it.”
He added: “The behaviour of some people during the season, that is what hurts me most. It’s not my person that is hurt but the impeccable image of the club around the world. That kind of behaviour does not reflect what Arsenal is. A strong club is a club that makes a decision. It is wrong that in modern society it is not a question of whether a decision is right but whether it is popular. That has nothing to do with competence. People with responsibility have to make the right decision.”
Fans held protest marches before home games and flew banners over two away stadiums during the 2016-17 season. He silenced his critics by overseeing a 2-1 win over Chelsea to win the FA Cup and decided a year later he decided to step down, having become the most successful manager in the club’s history.
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