Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had a secret strategy to intimidate referees which has now been revealed by Gary Neville.
The Scottish manager, who managed the club from 1986 to 2013, is regarded as the greatest Premier League manager of all time. During his time at Old Trafford, he won 38 trophies including 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups and two Champions League crowns.
With Ferguson admitting he attempted to sway referees throughout his tenure at the club, his touchline antics only served to solidify his reputation at United.
Former United captain Neville has stated that Ferguson would attempt to intimidate the referees before the kickoff.
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet, Neville said:
“Sir Alex Ferguson said that we couldn’t leave the dressing room until he was at the front, standing at the door, and he would wait for every player to go past, and he’d be looking down the corridor at the referee’s room and the away dressing room.
“You’d be stood at the door, and he’d be staring down the corridor at the referee’s and the away dressing room, and every single player would walk past him, and he’d shake their hand, and it was every week.
“I didn’t realise this properly until I became captain after Roy Keane had left. When I was captain, standing at the front, Sir Alex would tell me to wait until all the players were in a line and then we could go.”
Even off the pitch, Sir Alex was a genius with such tactics. He knew how to turn situations into his favour.
Prior to his 2013 retirement, Ferguson acknowledged that he tried to influence referees in favor of his team, but he maintained that he was just manipulating opposing managers.
“The fourth official on Sunday [against Swansea] showed me the board and it said eight minutes,” Sir Alex told reporters. “I said, ‘Think again’.
“That’s been a part of it – the pressure you try and put on referees. But I saved mind games for opponents.”
Sir Alex has often been called a great man manager but his tactical acumen was second to none as well. The way he used to get into the head of opposition managers and players was something remarkable.
