Fans unite for Sir Alex after life-saving brain op
Outpouring of support as game stands by seriously ill Ferguson
THE football world united in support of legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson last night as he fought the biggest battle of his life following a brain haemorrhage.
The former Manchester United boss – widely regarded as Britain’s most successful football manager – remains in intensive care with his family by his bedside.
Doctors performed an emergency operation on Saturday and his former club revealed the procedure had gone “very well”.
But a United spokesman added: “He needs a period of intensive care to optimise his recovery. His family request privacy.”
Chris Chandler, consultant neurosurgeon at King’s College, London, said: “The surgery going well means the surgeons have achieved what they set out to achieve.
“We don’t know exactly what kind of brain haemorrhage he had. There are many different kinds, all of which have vastly different outcomes for the patient.
“We have to now wait for more information before anybody can say what the outcome is likely to be.”
Prayers
It is understood an ambulance was called to the football icon’s Cheshire home at around 9am on Saturday. He was taken to Macclesfield District Hospital before being transferred to the Salford Royal.
Current and former players, the Football Association, Premier League, Fifa, Uefa and clubs from Britain and around the world all sent their best wishes to the legendary boss.
David Beckham offered his support to his former manager and wife Cathy. He posted a picture of himself as a young player alongside Sir Alex on Instagram, adding: “Keep fighting boss. Sending prayers and love to Cathy and the whole family.”
Former goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, whose wife Annemarie suffered a brain haemorrhage in 2009 but later recovered, said he was “devastated” to hear the news “knowing all too well about the situation ourselves”.
Manchester City joined other clubs, some using the Twitter hashtag “football family”, to wish Sir Alex well. It said everyone there wishes him “a full and speedy recovery after his surgery”. And fans took to the pitch at the Etihad Stadium yesterday to show their concern.
Liverpool added: “A great rival but also a great friend who supported this club during its most difficult time, it is hoped that Sir Alex will make a full recovery.” The Glaswegian coach won 38 trophies with United, including 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League titles. He retired as United manager in May 2013 but regularly attended matches at Old Trafford.
Last Sunday he presented Arsene Wenger, the outgoing Arsenal boss, with a commemorative trophy to mark his departure after 22 years.
Former Rangers player Sir Alex began his managerial career at East Stirlingshire before taking charge of St Mirren, winning the First Division title. He then moved to Aberdeen, winning three Scottish League championships, four Scottish Cups and the Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup in 1983.
Born into a family of shipyard workers in the Govan area of Glasgow, Sir Alex is a well-known Labour supporter and donor. Pep Guardiola has sent his best wishes. Sir Alex took Guardiola out to dinner recently to congratulate him on winning this season’s Premier League title with Manchester City, and the Spaniard hopes his friend makes a swift recovery.
Speaking before City’s match against Huddersfield yesterday he said: “So a big hug and our thoughts are with his wife Cathy and the Man-
chester United family. I was glad to have dinner with him two weeks ago, and hopefully he can recover as quickly as possible.”
Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, who was signed by Sir Alex as an 18-year-old, said: “My thoughts and prayers are with you, my dear friend. Be strong, boss.” Willie Miller, who served as Aberdeen captain under Sir Alex, said: “Hoping the great man does what he does best and wins this challenge.”
Current United players expressed their shock on Twitter. Chris Smalling said: “Gutted to hear the news about Sir Alex. Stay strong boss.”
Former Manchester United midfielder Bryan Robson, who played for the Old Trafford club between 1981 and 1994, said: “It did come as a big surprise but from what I’ve heard the operation went well, so hopefully the boss will have a full recovery and I think that’s what everybody would really wish for.
“Everybody respects him highly about what he did in the game.” Referring to his outspoken management style, he added that everyone thinks it was all this ‘hairdryer’ treatment “but the boss enjoys a good time, really enjoys his racing and is good company when you’re around him.”
In 2003 Sir Alex underwent cardioversion electric shock treatment for a heart irregularity.
He married Cathy in 1966 and they have three sons – Mark, and twins Jason and Darren, who is Doncaster Rovers manager.
We wish Sir Alex a full and speedy recovery Manchester City Everyone respects Sir Alex highly Bryan Robson
ARSENE WENGER last night led the messages of support to Sir Alex Ferguson as the football world prayed for him.
Wenger broke off from the celebrations at his final home game as Arsenal manager to wish Ferguson a speedy and full recovery after the shock news the former Manchester United boss had undergone surgery following a brain haemorrhage.
Ferguson, 76, is seriously ill after collapsing at home on Friday. He is in intensive care in a Salford hospital surrounded by wife Cathy and family. Less than a week earlier he had made a presentation to Wenger to commemorate his final visit to Old Trafford and his erstwhile rival said after the Gunners’ 5-0 win over Burnley: “I would like to send my best wishes to my fellow manager. I was with him last week and he looked in perfect
shape and he looked very happy. I wish him well and to recover very quickly.” Ferguson’s former No2 Brian Kidd, now a member of Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff at Manchester City, said: “You think Sir Alex is indestructible, we’ve all been brought up with him. What he did for United was unreal and the pressure he was under every day to
produce. It’s phenomenal. You know him, you lads [the media] have had your run-ins with him but you know where he’s coming from, he wears his heart on his sleeve.
“The opportunity he gave me, I’m always indebted to him.”
Guardiola, whose Barcelona team beat Ferguson’s United in the Champions League finals of 2009 and 2011, said: “All the City fans, you cannot find one person who does not wish the best for an amazing person.
“I was delighted to have dinner with him two weeks ago.”
Former United captain Bryan Robson said: “It did come as a big shock. But from what I’ve heard the operation went well, so hopefully the boss will have a full recovery.
“Everybody respects him highly for what he did in the game. Everyone thinks it was all this ‘hairdryer’ but the boss enjoys a good time, really enjoys his racing and is good company. Ron Atkinson brought me to Manchester United but the boss had a big influence on me – and that prolonged my career.”
Messages came from around the world, with the great Pele taking to Twitter with his good wishes. The 77-year-old wrote: “I woke up to hear that Sir Alex Ferguson is in hospital. A Man Utd man through and through. Get well soon, Sir Alex.”
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte and Liverpool counterpart Jurgen Klopp sent their best wishes after the Blues’ 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge yesterday.
Conte said: “I am very sad. He’s not a normal person.”
Klopp said: “I met Sir Alex after the first game against Roma. He passed my way. I had a few words with him. When I heard it yesterday on the way to London I really couldn’t believe it. It can happen to all of us.”
United tweeted last night: “Manchester United would like to thank the wider football world for the messages of support following the news that Sir Alex Ferguson underwent emergency surgery.”