Giggs: Jose will never be as intimidating as Sir Alex
Ryan Giggs claims Jose Mourinho will never have the total control that Sir Alex Ferguson enjoyed at Manchester United.
The Special One might have called out stars like Luke Shaw and Chris Smalling in public – but United legend Giggs says that was nothing compared to Sir Furious’ feared hairdryer.
Giggs admitted: “Fergie was scary and even now he still scares me.
“I still call him boss because he just has that aura about him.
“He had that little cough and as soon as you heard that, walking down the corridor at the training ground, you’d dive in a doorway to get out of his way.
“I was always wary of him because he had that ability to turn up at your house – and sometimes did.
“But he did it all for you and had so many other great qualities.
“He said recently he only ever used the hairdryer half a dozen times – but I think his memory is selective on that!
“It wasn’t nice to get it even as an experienced player.
“There was no point trying to argue with him. I did argue back twice but it didn’t go well. The first t i m e wa s against Juventus away. They were a good team and at half-time I questioned him – and got substituted there and then!”
Giggs remembered how David Beckham used to tell him to shut up when he argued back with Ferguson.
He said: “Half the time I’d be sat next to Becks and he would be whispering, ‘ Be quiet, be quiet’ if I said something.
“You cou ld never win – but we still said our bit.
“It’s very difficult to think there would be any more managers like Sir Alex and have that success and control. “Nowadays it is a very difficult environment for managers.” Giggs reckons no one came close to Eric Cantona for being given a free rein under Ferguson. He smiled: “Eric got away with murder – he never got the hairdryer. “We’d go to a black-tie do, my tie wouldn’t be straight or Nicky Butt’s top button undone and he’d rip into us. “The next minute Eric would walk in with a white linen suit and red trainers and Sir Alex would turn to us and say, “Look at that – that’s style! Me and Nicky would be going to each other, ‘For f***’s sake!’”
Mourinho starts a five-game run of fixtures against West Ham today that could shape United’s season at home and abroad.
But the boss has revealed he feared the injury jinx that has plagued Phil Jones would end the defender’s career.
Mourinho hailed Jones for keeping his team “safe” after a string of impressive displays.
But before this season crock Jones, 24, had only managed 39 appearances over three campaigns.
Mourinho said: “Many people were thinking Phil was injury prone and that it would be difficult for him to get back to his level.
“I have to confess even myself, when he was injured again at the beginning of the season, I was feeling that fear.
“But in the last month we have seen him deliver great performances. Phil gave us the stability we have at the moment. I’m happy for him.” West Ham keeper Darren Randolph knows his under-pressure side need to beat United. The former Motherwell keeper said: “It is hard to put your finger on exactly what has gone wrong.
“We need to get results and quickly.” Everton boss Ronald Koeman has warned skipper Phil Jagielka he w i l l get the chop if performances don’t get better.
The England defender gave away a penalty that earned Swansea a point at Goodison Park last week after conceding two spot-kicks in Everton’s draw at Manchester City.
Jagielka was subbed late in the Swansea game and the tough Dutchman wants a reaction from the centre-half and the rest of his squad at former club Southampton today after a dismal run of results.
Koeman said: “Jagielka needs to know he’s an international player and needs to improve.” Meanwhile, Southampton boss Claude Puel says his side’s home form will inspire confidence.
Saints have only lost one l ea g ue game in 10 at St Mary’s and Puel said: We can take confidence from that.”