Ian Wright once revealed that he lost respect for iconic Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson following his reaction to an incident involving a Red Devils star. Interactions between Wright and Ferguson have appeared positive in recent times, with the Scot joking with the former Arsenal striker after he claimed that he should’ve signed him in his prime.
Yet despite this light-hearted exchange, Wright did previously state that he lost respect for Ferguson after the United boss’s response to an accusation Wright made, alleging that one of Ferguson’s players had used discriminatory language towards him.
Wright Reveals Lost Ferguson Respect Following Schmeichel Clash
Speaking in his autobiography 'Ian Wright: A Life In Football' the former Arsenal striker revealed that he lost respect for Ferguson following his response to an incident with United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel in the mid 1990s.
Schmeichel ultimately escaped any charges of racism following the alleged confrontation with Wright, being cleared by the Crown Prosecution Service in March 1997.
In a letter written by then FA chief executive Graham Kelly, both players were told to reconcile their differences due to their status as popular figures in the game.
"I have to decide what is best for English football. I have to be aware that both you and Ian Wright are public figures, idolised by millions of football fans at home and abroad. Your example is vitally important," Kelly said in his letter to Schmeichel.
"That is why I ask you, in the interests of the game as a whole, to make a public statement of reconciliation with Ian Wright as soon as possible. In doing so, you can be a power for bringing the game together, not dividing it."
Wright would later publicly bury the hatchet with Schmeichel, saying as per The Independent: "I am happy to comply with the wishes of the FA and would add that, despite being approached three times by the CPS to make a statement or complaint based on video evidence, I have not done so for the benefit of football and everybody concerned with our national game."