Sir Alex Ferguson is one of the greatest managers in the history of football, some will even argue that he ranks as the very best. Although he achieved some impressive things early on with St Mirren and Aberdeen, he is best known for what he did at Manchester United.
The Scot helped deliver a record 13 Premier League titles to Old Trafford, as well as two Champions League titles, five FA Cups, four League Cups, and plenty more. However, his time in England did not get off to a great start.
He was appointed Red Devils manager in 1986 but failed to deliver a trophy until the 1990 FA Cup. Earlier on in that 1989/90 season, there were even rumours that he was close to the sack, but saved himself with a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
Sir Bobby Charlton would later deny the idea that Ferguson was one defeat away from losing his job, but was always known to be a staunch defender of the club's former boss, even when things weren't going well. Sir Alex has since backed this up, by claiming that he 'owes his life' at Man United to the iconic Englishman.
Bobby Charlton Meant so Much to Sir Alex Ferguson
"He always believed in me"
Manchester United Manager Alex Ferguson & Ex-Player/Director Bobby Charlton
Speaking in Ferguson 2016, Ferguson explained just how important Charlton's belief in him was. He spoke in glowing terms of the English World Cup winner, as both a footballer and a friend:
“I owe my life here to Bobby. He always believed in me and, apart from being the greatest legend at this club and the greatest player, it’s been a wonderful pleasure to know you.
“My time at United has been laced with all these great moments, but none more so than my friendship with Bobby, and what he’s done for me.
“The great attribute of Bobby – and it’s a great example to anybody who has been successful – is how he’s kept his feet on the ground and retained his humility all his life.”
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Charlton Sensed Man Utd 'Success Was Coming' Under Ferguson
Denied that he was ever close to the sack
As alluded to before, Ferguson was under huge pressure during the 1989/90 season, and there were even rumours that Charlton had to deliver an impassioned speech to the board on the Scot's behalf. However, the Englishman denied that in 2010, insisting:
"I didn't have to say anything. They all knew. You have a feeling at a football club whether things are right or wrong.
"There was no nastiness about Alex when he lost a match. It was just a feeling of 'it will happen'.
"You just felt success was coming, so you couldn't criticise him.
"Half the problems that people get into is the fact that they get rid of managers too soon. We would not make that mistake."
He added: "There is no way that, even had we lost at Nottingham Forest, anything would have happened. No way at all. Everyone knew where we were going and what was going to happen."
Ferguson's story at Manchester United certainly makes a great case for modern clubs showing a little more patience when new managers struggle in a fresh environment. It certainly must be daunting for the Old Trafford faithful to imagine a world where their iconic manager was sacked.
Although the Scot deserves most of the credit for turning things around, as evidenced by his quotes above, he certainly owes a little thanks to Charlton.