Sir Alex Ferguson felt unwell before Manchester United's Premier League match against Liverpool at Old Trafford and went to the hospital as a precautionary measure
Sir Alex Ferguson
Sir Alex Ferguson is said to be 'on the mend' and recovering from a recent illness(Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
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League Managers' Association chief executive Richard Bevan says that Sir Alex Ferguson is 'on the mend' after being unable to attend their annual awards night.
Ferguson, 84, is recovering from a recent illness after receiving treatment in a local hospital as a precautionary measure. He felt unwell before Manchester United's Premier League match against Liverpool at Old Trafford on 3 May.
Four weeks later, the Scot was not well enough to be at Tuesday's event, but did write a letter to the Manager of the Year winner, Frank Lampard. Thomas Tuchel presented the Sir Alex Ferguson Trophy in his absence.
The England head coach said: "It is, of course, not the same without Sir Alex himself, and we wish him all the best and a speedy recovery so that he is hopefully with us next year on stage again. Until then, I have the privilege to read this letter to you, Frank."
Ferguson's letter reads: "Dear Frank, many congratulations on being named LMA Manager of the Year. You should be very proud of what you and your team have accomplished.
“Your personality as a manager and a leader is so clearly defined in how your team has played great football this season – with confidence and self-belief, and I have enjoyed watching you.
"I know from speaking with you that you have great humility and that important quality of a curious mind for learning.
"I'm sure winning this award will mean a great deal to you, Frank, and I wish you the best of luck in the Premier League next season."
Lampard won the award after leading Coventry City to the Championship title. Mikel Arteta took the Premier League Manager of the Year award, which Michael Carrick and Pep Guardiola were also nominated for. Andoni Iraola, Keith Andrews and Regis Le Bris completed the six-man shortlist.
Ferguson messaged Guardiola last week in advance of the final day of the season. During his last Manchester City pre-match press conference, the Catalan coach said: "One of the biggest compliments I had: I got a message from Sir Alex Ferguson yesterday. That made me so happy."
Asked about what it said, Guardiola responded: "A Scottish accent, I didn't understand it! I will call him back. Congratulations for the trajectory and for what we achieved. It means a lot to me.
"He is the greatest in this country. The tenure, the time, and for many, many reasons... I'm happy that Sir Alex Ferguson, the greatest, could [see]... I'm pretty sure [to] Sir Alex, we are not the 'noisy neighbours', we are the 'neighbours'. Just 'the neighbours'. And I'm happy that he has been watching."
Ferguson always spoke highly of Guardiola while United manager. After the 3-1 loss to his Barcelona team in the 2011 Champions League final, the Scot said: "In my time as manager, this is the best team we've faced – I think everyone acknowledges that and I accept that."