Old foes send best wishes to Ferguson
LONDON — Arsene Wenger and Pep Guardiola both took time out from landmark moments in their own soccer careers on Sunday to support Alex Ferguson as the legendary manager remained in intensive care after emergency surgery for a brain hemorrhage.
Considered the most successful manager in the history of British soccer, Ferguson won 38 major trophies in just over 26 years in charge of Manchester United, including 13 Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League twice before retiring in 2013.
Wenger and Scottish manager Ferguson frequently engaged in verbal spats as they battled for supremacy in the Premier League during the Frenchman’s first decade of a 22-year term at Arsenal, which will come to a close at the end of the season.
However, they later became friends and Ferguson, 76, presented Wenger with a momento on his final visit to United’s Old Trafford ground as Arsenal manager two weeks ago.
We wish him all well and to recover very quickly. He is a strong man and an optimistic man.”
Arsene Wenger, Arsenal manager, on Alex Ferguson
“I was with him on the pitch last week. I went to see him in the box after the game and he looked in a perfect shape,” said Wenger, who also started his farewell speech in his final home game as Arsenal boss on Sunday with well wishes for Ferguson.
“He told me he is doing a lot of exercise, and he looked very happy, but that kind of accident can happen. We wish him all well and to recover very quickly. He is a strong man and an optimistic man.”
Sunday saw Manchester City receive the Premier League trophy following a 0-0 draw with Huddersfield as Guardiola added an English title to the Spanish and German ones he won in charge of Barcelona and Bayern Munich respectively.
“All the Manchester City fans in the stadium, you cannot find one person who does not wish the best for an amazing person,” said Guardiola, whose Barca team beat Ferguson’s United in the 2011 Champions League final.
Guardiola then invited a former assistant of Ferguson’s, Brian Kidd, who is now a member of City’s coaching staff, to pay tribute to Ferguson.
“He’s such an iconic person as everybody knows,” said Kidd. “You think Sir Alex is really indestructible.”
Following Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Liverpool on Sunday, managers Jurgen Klopp and Antonio Conte also sent their best wishes.
“When I heard the news yesterday I really couldn’t believe this could happen. He is absolutely the boss,” said Klopp. “I wish him the best.”
Italian manager Conte added: “I have had the chance to know him and his wife. I understand that this is a special person. Not a normal person.”
An ambulance was called to Ferguson’s home in Cheadle, near Manchester, at 9 am on Saturday after an emergency call. After undergoing surgery he was in a critical but stable condition.