Football prays for Fergie
Pep lifts trophy and leads tributes to Sir Alex
AMID the inflatable bananas, confetti and the fireworks of a richly deserved Manchester City celebration party, one banner turned our thoughts to a very different scenario.
‘Football aside,’ it read. ‘ Get well, Fergie.’ Premier League title parties in Manchester on May days were always the sole preserve of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Before Abu Dhabi riches transformed the football landscape in the North West and beyond, the legendary United manager enjoyed occasions like this on average every other year over his 26 seasons at Old Trafford.
As he lay seriously ill in a hospital bed following emergency brain surgery, it was a timely and poignant tribute to the man.
Ferguson wouldn’t win many popularity contests around this part of town, but they recognise when something transcends sporting rivalry and brings the football community together.
After the final whistle, the pitch invasion, the trophy presentation, the pyrotechnics, the laps of honour, champagne and endless selfies, Pep Guardiola invited his entire backroom team into his after-match press conference to share the credit.
At the far end sat Brian Kidd, Guardiola’s assistant who spent seven years alongside Ferguson at the start of the glory years.
The two men had their differences. Who didn’t with Fergie? But there was genuine warmth from Kidd as he sent his best wishes to the 76-year-old Scot.
‘He’s such an iconic person, as everybody knows,’ Kidd said. ‘There was a really sombre mood yesterday evening and this morning.
‘You think Sir Alex is really indestructible, we’ve all been brought up with him.
‘What he did for Manchester United was unreal and the pressure he was under every day to produce. It’s phenomenal.
‘Obviously all of us at Manchester City, he’s in our prayers and thoughts — Cathy and the kids — we wish him a speedy and happy recovery. We send all our love to him.
‘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. God bless him. All the love in the world to him.’
Guardiola sat and nodded in agreement. It was only a fortnight ago that he and Ferguson dined together in Manchester.
‘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. ‘So a big hug and our thoughts are with his wife Cathy and the Manchester United family. I was glad to have dinner with him two weeks ago.
‘Hopefully he can recover as quickly as possible.’
Ferguson cannot have helped but admire what Guardiola has achieved in his second season. Even his most cavalier of titlewinning teams couldn’t match this City side that still have two games to set a new record for the most points, goals and wins in a Premier League season.
They finally got their hands on the trophy yesterday, but Guardiola’s side have looked like title winners for much longer.
This wasn’t their finest hour against a Huddersfield team fighting for survival. City dominated, as they always do, but they lacked their usual cutting edge.
Kevin De Bruyne went closest in the first half with an effort he would normally get on target, and Christopher Schindler had to clear from under his own crossbar early in the second following a mix-up between goalkeeper Jonas Lossl and Steve Mounie.
Other than that, City enjoyed plenty of possession without making it count and with a little more luck, Huddersfield could even have escaped with a win.
‘I’m so satisfied but the game showed me how difficult everything is,’ said Guardiola. ‘They came here, played defensively perfect. A lot of credit to them.
‘It looks easy when you have to win games but next season will be tougher. They’ll all want to beat us.
‘In a few days, the season will be over and we’ll try to finish well.’