Its an emotive question that I`m sure all United supporters hope to avoid for the considerable future but one that cannot be avoided for ever, should SAF be given an upstairs role like Sir Matt was? He recently stated in an interview with BBC radio that he thought there would be a role for him at United after he finishes.Listen to the full interview below. http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...Alex_Ferguson/ Is this a good idea?Should we not learn from the past?How could another manager impose his mantra onto the club with SAF, the authoritarian Father of the club, hovering in the back ground? A wise man once said that no one at a Football club can be more important than the manager, but thats exactly what would happen if SAF hangs around. Look at the last months of Roy Hodgekinsons reign at Liverpool, results not going well, Dogleash sitting in the stands and being heralded by all as the clubs saviour (lol), completely undermining the current manager. I think we should build a statue and say goodbye when the time comes or risk repeating the mistakes of the past
This isn't really relevant, Dalglish was sat in the stands wanting Hodgsons job and seething at the injustice of not having been offered it, which won't apply should Fergie have retired and moved to a director or ambassedor role, whichever it is he's likely to have. I don't see it being an issue myself, the lesson with Busby was clear and I'm happy Fergie will know this and not stick his beak in where the new manager doesn't want it.
I thought it was relevant in respect to it being the most recent undermining of a manager by another sat in the stand, saying that, I removed it then put it back in, so I see where your coming from. SAF would obviously have more sway and respect by all at the club than his successor, which undermines the manager and cannot be helpful.Who do the players call boss?The Chelsea players still mourn Mourinho ffs!
Fergie should only get a role upstairs if he thinks he can let go of the reigns and step aside. I think it is important that SAF is there to support the new manager but only if the new manager asks for his support. Lets be honest though, only a stupid or ignorant manager would not want the support of a man who has been at the club for 20 years and had the success he has had.
Watford's greatest ever manager is now our part-time chairman, and it works absolutely perfectly. The manager has someone to turn to, but at the same time knows that Taylor won't turn up on a daily or weekly basis to give him unsolicited "suggestions". The club's equivalent of head of academy and chief scout are equally accountable to the manager and board, so Taylor has some relatively direct input into those areas. And as Taylor is absolutely unsackable, he has a licence to speak his mind if he thinks something is awry in the boardroom. Look at a couple of the things he has gotten away with saying about major shareholders in recent years: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/dec/18/graham-taylor-jimmy-russo-watford-administration http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/15657527 As long as Fergie is prepared to show similar discipline in staying out of first team affairs, I'm sure he'd do a similarly good job.
If SAF wants an upstairs role, then he deserves one. I'm sure SAF would know, as a former manager, not to get involved with the team. Still SAF will have a massive say in who replaces him, he may even have the biggest say, so im sure he will pick someone he gets on well with
This. The only time you have problems with an ex manager is when they retire / quit too early and have regrets. That's the problem Liverpool had with Dalglish and Shankly and Utd with Busby. SAF has already had his early retirement moment back in 2002, and has shown since then that he won't be willing to leave until he's completely finished with management. So when he retires it will be a completely clean break - he'll sit in the boardroom and ensure the spirit of the club lives on, but he won't be turning up at training unannounced or looking over the new manager's shoulder.
Another issue may be the players. Players that have spent most of their careers playing for Fergie and developed under his supervision, who will still be playing in a few years. (Rooney, Nani, Giggs, ect.) May still have a strong connection with SAF and would view him as boss, going over the new managers head. Similar to what's happening with AVB at Chelsea.
He should move upstairs pre-retirement the miserable ****er.... If I were a Utd fan (thank **** I'm not!) I'd be seriously worried about the future of the club when Fergie retires. Seriously though, what a manager he's been. Credit where credit's due.... and that's from a Liverpool fan FFS!
Not that worried to be honest. Our revenue is still well over £100 million higher than any other PL club and rising faster than most, so FFP will give us a natural advantage. When SAF goes we won't dominate English football to the same extent, but I can't see us declining the same way Liverpool did in the 90s. For one thing, there are no managers around at the moment who look like they have the ability or willpower needed to dominate in the same way SAF has done for the last two decades, so the league will get much more open. Besides which, a new manager will probably be much more willing than SAF to bring in proven players rather than relying on getting the best out of our relatively limited squad.
