A TRUE BOND OF BROTHERS
Smith was a great but he also had a moral compass, insists Ferguson
THE association was long, but it could have been even longer. A ‘devastated’ Sir Alex Ferguson last night reflected on his friendship with Walter Smith and admitted he had tried to lure the future Rangers manager to Aberdeen in the 1980s.
‘His contribution at Dundee United was absolutely immense,’ said Ferguson. ‘I wanted him at Pittodrie. I tried to get him but Wee Jim (McLean) threatened me with every court in the land. I didn’t know there were that many courts.’
Ferguson and Smith formed a professional bond that was strengthened by spells when they would work together at Scotland and at Manchester United. But they were close friends for decades.
‘I never had doubts about his abilities as a coach,’ said Ferguson. ‘We got to know each other very well on scouting trips when I was at Aberdeen and he was at United. Sometimes we would share the same plane when we were travelling to, say, Holland. We would split up at the airport and when we got together to fly home we wouldn’t tell each other what game we had been at.’
This is all said with the affectionate reminiscence of a friend but Ferguson was keen to point out Smith’s quality as a man and coach.
‘People forget how extraordinary that Dundee United were. With Aberdeen, they were at the forefront of Scottish football,’ he said. ‘Walter’s career was outstanding. He did a terrific job wherever he went and obviously his record at Rangers, in particular, will testify to his status as a brilliant coach and manager.’
Ferguson pointed out that Smith’s longevity in a brutal trade was commendable. ‘You look at his CV and it goes back to the 1970s and the Scotland Under-18s in terms of coaching. It just goes on and on from there.’
Sir Alex, though, was keen to emphasise Smith’s qualities beyond the touchline.
‘He was a man of substance. A good man, a great friend,’ he said. ‘Yes, he is indelibly printed in the tapestry of Scottish football. Yes, he was one of the greats in our great game. But he was more than that.
‘Walter had a moral compass. It was a wonderful thing to be around him and share friendship with him.’
Their professional careers came together when Ferguson had Smith as his assistant at the World Cup in Mexico in 1986 after the tragic death of Jock Stein, a mentor to both. Smith also joined Ferguson for a brief spell at Old Trafford.
‘He was only at United for a short time. But he was fantastic,’ said Ferguson. ‘I lost Carlos Queiroz to Real Madrid and I knew I needed an assistant so I phoned Walter about it and he came for six months and helped us win the FA Cup against Millwall.’
The mark of their friendship is testified by Smith always expressing gratitude to Ferguson for giving him a chance to coach at Old Trafford.
Ferguson, in return, regularly expressed his profound thanks to his mate for helping him out. ‘He was a pleasure to have here,’ said the former United manager. ‘He helped in the development of so many players.’
Of his friend’s death, Ferguson said simply: ‘I am absolutely devastated.’ He added: ‘Walter was a special person. He fought his illness with great courage. He was a great friend of mine for years and years.
‘In all that time you were dealing with a man with great integrity. He treated people well. He lived his life well, too. He was superb, too, in the friendship he offered so many people. I was very grateful to be part of that. I value that.’
Asked to point out one of his friend’s greatest attributes, he said: ‘He had so many. We know his proficiency as a coach and manager. We know his loyalty and his capacity for friendship.
‘But, you know, I always think that Walter was a great listener. He had a wonderful connection with people because he was a great listener, that was one of his greatest qualities.
‘He listened and showed an interest in people and helped everyone he could. Now that could be seen by some as a frailty in dealing with players but it never was with Walter. It was a profound strength.’
Ferguson added: ‘He is such a loss to the game but, above all that, to everyone that knew him.
‘I send my sincere condolences to his wife, Ethel, and his two sons, Neil and Steven. I’ll miss him greatly.’