There are often sliding-door moments in football. One decision made by a player or a club can completely change the trajectory of a career.
It turns out Sir Alex Ferguson had one in 1986, as he nearly joined Arsenal instead of Manchester United. Had he moved to Highbury instead of Old Trafford, who knows what the legendary Scottish manager would have achieved in North London.
Would he have won fewer or more than the 13 Premier League titles he did with the Red Devils? And what about Gunners icon Arsene Wenger? Maybe the Frenchman would have become a Man Utd icon instead. It seems strange to even consider.
However, former Scotland and Arsenal star Charlie Nicholas has revealed that Ferguson came within one day of joining the Gunners.
Former Scotland international Charlie Nicholas with his spouse Claire Nicholas
Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley
Nicholas started out his career at Celtic, winning two league titles and a Scottish League Cup with the Hoops before joining Arsenal in 1983. He'd win an English League Cup in north London and then return to his home country, playing for Aberdeen and Celtic for a second time, before retiring with Clyde in 1996.
He also played 20 times for Scotland, and had Ferguson as his international manager between 1985 and 1986. It was around then that the iconic coach nearly joined the Gunners.
As quoted by the Mirror, Nicholas revealed in a new book, Truly, Madly, Charlie: A Tale of Obsession, Superstition and Charlie Nicholas, that during the 1986 World Cup, Arsenal had sounded out Sir Alex to become their new manager. He explained:
“It seemed like everybody was going in a transfer merry-go-round. There was Fergie, Walter Smith and Graeme Souness.
“Fergie got offered the Arsenal job and on the same day Graeme got offered Rangers and took Walter to be his assistant. The coaches were all looking after themselves and I remember one night we all went to dinner.
“Fergie said to me: ‘I want to take you for a glass of wine. I need to speak to you about something.’ We had a stroll out outside the camp and he said: 'Tell me about Arsenal.’
“So I told him. I said: ‘Great club, it just needs shaking up.’ I said, we've never managed to get with some top players there. We've just never got a team gel. The ingredients are all there, but we are missing a heartbeat.
“And he says they've made the contract. I was like: ‘Oh, I said, no disrespect, but that would be fantastic.’ I think it'd be wonderful news for me. And it'd be wonderful news for the Arsenal.
“I said that that would be magnificent. So, what what's the situation? He says: ‘Well, there is a couple other clubs and interested in, but I spoke to Arsenal and was very, very impressed by them."
Sir Alex Ferguson
Sir Alex Ferguson
Nicholas Was 'Gutted' When Ferguson Gave His Word to Man Utd
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Nicholas, who was at Arsenal at the time and wouldn't leave until 1988, was clearly keen on having Ferguson as his new head coach to replace iconic former boss Don Howe. He explained how things would work in North London:
“I said they would let you go on with your job, Alex. They would let you control the dressing room, and that's where we needed control."
Sadly though, just one day later, Ferguson revealed he'd opted for Man Utd instead. Nicholas recalled: “And then the very following day, I think I remember, I think there was twenty four of us in in players' group, and Archie Knox would take eight to dinner. Walter Smith would take another eight to dinner, and Fergie would take this eight to dinner.
“And again, I'm in with Fergie, and he said: ‘I want a quick word.’ He said: ‘I have to tell you, because I know your passion for the Arsenal is there. “I've just accepted a Manchester United job'.
"Absolutely gutted. I thought, man, I thought, you know what? I can understand where you're coming from with the Man U thing. I thought we were in a position to get success quicker. But he’d given his word.”
One can only imagine how different things would have been. It wasn't all bad news for Arsenal, though, as they picked up fellow Scot George Graham that year, and he won two First Division titles, the FA Cup, two League Cups, and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup over the next decade.
Things also worked out pretty well for Sir Alex at Old Trafford.