Sir Alex Ferguson Named the Worst Trainer He Ever Coached

For 26 years, Sir Alex Ferguson ruled Manchester United with an iron fist wrapped in a velvet glove. His razor-sharp discipline and insatiable hunger for victory forged a dynasty unlike any other. Strip away his relentless competitive edge, and you could argue that the silverware gleaming in his cabinet would be little more than a dull collection of missed opportunities. Instead, he hoarded trophies like they were going out of style – 13 Premier League crowns, two Champions League conquests, and five FA Cup triumphs among his stardust.

Ferguson had English football in a chokehold, a tactical puppeteer pulling the strings at the Theatre of Dreams. But when the curtain fell on his reign in 2013, the magic seemingly left the stage with him. Twelve years, ten managers, and a revolving door of hopeful successors later, and Manchester United still finds itself chasing shadows. No one who has stepped into football’s hottest seat has been able to inspire, control, or extract every last drop of fight from their players the way Fergie did.

Perhaps that was the secret ingredient to his dynasty – an intoxicating cocktail of fear, respect, and unwavering standards. Under Ferguson, even the biggest names – Cristiano Ronaldo, Eric Cantona, and the like – would rather run themselves into the ground than risk his legendary wrath. Yet, there was one player, revealed by the man himself, who dared to test those limits and just couldn’t keep up with the rest of the pack.

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Sir Alex Ferguson Revealed ‘Worst Trainer’ He Ever Coached

Brian McClair was always last in pre-season

From the moment he took the helm in 1986 to his farewell 12 years ago, Sir Alex Ferguson was Manchester United’s undisputed lawmaker, laying down the gauntlet for his players, referees, and rival managers alike. His no-nonsense approach spared no one – not even club legends like David Beckham and Ryan Giggs, who, if they ever dipped below his sky-high standards, would find themselves on the receiving end of his infamous ‘hairdryer treatment.’

A fitting metaphor, given the volcanic eruptions that would engulf the dressing room after a lacklustre performance. When Ferguson unleashed his fury, his words would blast out with the intensity of a hairdryer on full throttle. During a heartwarming reunion with United’s academy prospects, the legendary gaffer reminisced about his golden rule: anyone guilty of being a ‘bad trainer’ wouldn’t have just been warned – they would have been shown the door before they could lace up their boots again.

It’s perhaps surprising, then, that his lousiest ever trainer, Brian McClair, carved out a successful 11-year career with the Red Devils, in which he lifted 14 pieces of silverware. Asked who was the best he ever saw in training, Ferguson replied (see around 08:40 of the video below):

Brian McClair’s Man United Career

He won four league titles under Fergie’s tutelage

A lazy trainer, but an absolute workhorse when his legs were needed – McClair was characterised by his intelligent movement, sharp finishing, and ability to contribute effectively in both attack and midfield, making him a key part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s early Manchester United teams.

For United fans of a certain vintage, there were two McClairs. The striker version, who was as lethal as they came, and the midfielder version, who was hardworking, reliable, and one of the most important assets in a squad that ended up winning four Premier League titles and two FA Cups with him pulling the strings at the heart of a well-oiled machine. He was also previously named by Ferguson as one of his three most underrated players (see video below).

In total, ‘Choccy’ (nicknamed that after fans worked out his surname rhymed with a popular British delicacy ‘chocolate eclair’) played 466 times for the Red Devils, scoring 121 goals and providing his teammates with a further 16 assists. Winner of the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year mantle on two occasions, too, he may not have been a crowd-pleaser in training, but he made sure that he left Old Trafford in 1998 as a true hero.

All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt (correct as of 15/02/2025)