As a Newcastle fan, I won’t miss Fergie

Even before I started on this piece I knew I was always going to be biased writing about the retiring Sir Alex Ferguson, the legendary Manchester United manager of 27 and half years, which is about 5 1/2 years less than my lifetime. So when and not if you find my opinion unfair, especially the United fans—yes, my colleague/ friend Ivan is now scratching his rapidly balding head wondering why on earth anyone would not miss one of the most successful but also popular figures in professional football. The Scot is one you can call a father-figure in his domain, and rightly so for those who know him first and those of us who can only rely on TV and internet to get a closer up to this great coach/manager. It’s extremely rare that people, however powerful or successful—unless in cases of dictators, live to see the statues erected in their memories, and Sir Alex Ferguson is one of those unusual cases. Winning almost 50 trophies as manager with just two clubs, and about 46 of them with United in a career spanning close to 40 years is no mean feat, which is why the departing Fergie will deservedly, for the all the good reasons, go down in the history books of the beautiful game. The 71-year old made the probably the best decision of his professional life to bow out now when he and the Red Devils are at the top of English football, which they have dominated since the early 90s, despite attempts by several different rival teams to infiltrate the Fergie dynasty. Especially in England, many clubs have tried failed to stop United and Ferguson from winning but little success, indeed some have succeed but many more have failed. Arsenal, Chelsea, Blackburn and Manchester City succeed, but that can’t be said of Newcastle United, who came so close but yet so far on two occasions in the mid 90s. The 1996/97season, Newcastle United threw away a 12-point lead in December and since then, despite them finishing second to United, I somehow become a fan and funny enough, I have never regretted making that choice. Over the years, Man United and Newcastle United have enjoyed numerous battles; actually games between the two teams have always produced the most entertainment, except that lately, because the wide gulf between them has meant that the Red Devils have had the upper hands. Ferguson will be the first to tell you that he has always enjoyed fixtures with Newcastle, one of the teams his United have taken off more points than probably any others in since the English league was renamed the Premier League in 1992. Since the time I started to support Newcastle, both teams have been involved not only the most high scoring games but also the most entertaining and honestly since my side has on most occasions been on the losing end, I have developed a hatred for Fergie and his team that I can’t wish them well no matter what. And now that the old man is finally leaving the stage and placing the future of his dynasty in the uncertain hands of David Moyes, some of will be happy to see his back and wait with abated breath to see how the former Everton man will fare in the next six years. Most football people world over will miss Fergie, deservedly so, and may be his bubble gum suppliers, and yes, I too, as a football person will miss him, but not as a Newcastle fan because his team has tortured me for so long.