Gracias, danke, grazie, merci.. Thank you, boss
GRATEFUL PEP, KLOPP, CONTE & WENGER WISH A SPEEDY RECOVERY TO THE REAL SPECIAL ONE, SIR ALEX
ARSENE WENGER paid a glowing tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson – and backed his old rival to pull through.
Fergie is fighting for his life after a brain haemorrhage and the football world has pulled together to send messages of support to the former Manchester United boss.
Wenger was in charge of his final
home game for Arsenal and began his farewell speech to fans afterwards with a message for Sir Alex.
Wenger said: ”Before I start I just want to say that at Arsenal we care and I would like to wish my fellow manager Ferguson well, very quickly.”
He also backed the 76-year-old Scot to recover after being rushed to Salford Royal Hospital.
Sir Alex paid an emotional tribute to Wenger on the pitch before Arsenal played Manchester United at Old Trafford last Sunday.
The former United boss also wrote an article in Wenger’s last-ever Arsenal programme praising him for a “fantastic career”.
“I am concerned and I’m thinking about him and his family. I trust his strength and his strong character will get him well very quickly,” said Wenger.
“I was with him on the pitch last week and I went to see him in the box after the game. He looked in perfect shape, he told me he is doing a lot of exercise, he looked very happy.
“We wish him well and that he recovers very quickly. He is a strong and optimistic man.”
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said that despite the fierce cross-town rivalry, every City fan wanted the best for their old adversary.
Guardiola said: “I think Brian Kidd can speak better, because Brian knows him very well, but Sir Alex, from the very beginning, was always there.
“Him and his wife Cathy, all the family, we hope they’ll get well and that he’ll recover well as quickly as possible and come back for the United family.
“All the Manchester City fans in the stadium, you cannot find one person who does not wish the best for an amazing person and an outstanding manager. I was glad to have dinner with him two weeks ago and hopefully he can recover as quickly as possible.”
Kidd, who was Fergie’s assistant at Old Trafford before moving to City, also paid tribute. The former United star said: “He’s such an iconic person.
“There was a really sombre mood yesterday evening and this morning.
“You think Sir Alex is indestructible, we’ve all been brought up with him.
“What he did for Manchester United was unreal and with the pressure he was under every day to produce. It’s phenomenal.
“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 and we hope it’s a quick one. We send all our love to him.”
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was with Fergie on the night of his side’s astonishing 5-2 win over Roma at Anfield last month.
“I met Sir Alex after our first leg against Roma, together with Gerard Houllier. I had a few words with him. When I heard it on the way to London, I couldn’t believe it. But this can happen to all of us.
“He will be in my players’ minds now. I wish him and his family all the best. He will be in good shape again and I’m looking forward to seeing him again.”
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte said the bad news cast a shadow over preparations for yesterday’s game against Klopp’s Reds.
He said: “I’m very sad. Because I have had the possibility to know him and his wife and to understand that this is a special person.
“As a manager he won many titles in his career. I appreciate the man a lot. This news changed my day in a bad way.”