8 Success Secrets of Alex Ferguson

Not many can deny Alex Ferguson of being one of the most successful football manager of his time. I see him as the most influential manage...

Not many can deny Alex Ferguson of being one of the most successful football manager of his time. I see him as the most influential manager in his era where footballers, players and even referees would give him all the respect that he deserves. Even in retirement, one cannot help but feel that he is still pulling some strings in Old Trafford. His replacement-David Moyes, has yet to fill his huge shoes, and we Red Devils fans at some stage, is hoping that the former gaffer can return to the pitch to scream at referee and pull out his hairdryer in the dressing room! Too bad...Alex Ferguson has retired...

Alex Ferguson-a legend!

Being one of the most decorated manager with 49 trophies, Alex Ferguson must have his very own principles and theories to guide his team to win time and again. When he first came to Old Trafford, he was almost deposed for failing to get the desired results. Nonetheless he held on and the rest is history. Now with his cabinets full of trophies and medals, Alex Ferguson revealed his 8 key principles that made him a legend in Manchester United. He outlined his theories behind management in interviews with Havard Business School.

8 Success Secrets of Alex Ferguson

1. Start with the foundation

Ferguson: “From the moment I got to Manchester United, I thought of only one thing: building a football club. I wanted to build right from the bottom.”

2. Dare to rebuild your team

Ferguson: “I believe that the cycle of a successful team lasts maybe four years and then some change is needed. So we tried to visualise the team three or four years ahead and make decisions accordingly. Because I was at United for such a long time, I could afford to plan ahead.”

3. Set high standards and hold everyone to them

Ferguson: “Everything we did was about maintaining the standards we had set as a football club -- this applied to all my team building, my team preparation, motivational talks and tactical talks. I expected even more from the star players [than the rest].”

4. Never, ever cede control

Ferguson: “I wasn't going to allow anyone to be stronger than I was. If the day came that the manager of Manchester United was controlled by the players -- if the players decided how the training should be, what days they should have off, what the discipline should be and what the tactics should be -- then Manchester United would not be the Manchester United we know. “

5. Match the message to the moment

Ferguson: “No one likes to be criticised. Most respond to encouragement. At the same time, you need to point out mistakes. You play different roles at different times. Sometimes you have to be a doctor, or a teacher, or a father.”

6. Prepare to win

Ferguson: “Winning is in my nature. There is no other option for me. I am a risk taker and you can see that in how we played in the late stages of matches. All my teams had perseverance -- they never gave in. It's a fantastic characteristic to have.”

7. Rely on the power of observation

Ferguson: “My presence and ability to supervise were always there and what you can pick up by watching is incredibly valuable. Sometimes I could even tell that a player was injured when he thought he was fine.”

8. Never stop adapting.

Ferguson: “When I started, there were no agents and, although games were televised, the media did not elevate players to the level of film stars and constantly look for new stories about them. Players have led more sheltered lives, so they are much more fragile than players were 25 years ago.”

He is one of the greatest Manager of all time!

Wow! From this interview we can see how daring and optimistic Alex Ferguson can be right? I strongly believe that it is because of these 8 success secrets, he was able to build so many teams that have won so many trophies. True to his nature, Alex Ferguson is indeed a person who believes that a manager should be the one in control of the club not the players and because of his belief, Manchester United has become a legend in premier league. So for those who want a head start in football as a manager, here's the 8 success secrets to be the manager that every club wants. Ha :D