Quinton Fortune dodges Diego
The South African lined up alongside stars galore at Manchester United, having moved to Europe following the end of apartheid
You were in Tottenham’s youth system as a teenager. How did the move come about?
I came over at 14, in 1991. South Africa was changing and I’d played for Western Province, in one of the first multi- racial teams – it was amazing. That’s how it should always have been, but because of the law in our country, we hadn’t been able to play with each other before. We played in a provincial tournament and won – I had my first white coach and he asked if I’d like to go to England. My parents said yes, Terry Venables gave me a trial and then Spurs said, “Yeah, we want to sign you.”
What was it like adapting to a new nation?
It was the most incredible adventure that any kid from the African continent could have, let alone one from Cape Town. It was a different planet – the weather, the food, the language, and my first language is Afrikaans so I had to learn English. But I played football every day, and that kept any homesickness off my mind. I got a great education at Spurs. Gary Lineker was in the first team and Sol Campbell was in the youth team, so I got to play a couple of games with him. Venables was brilliant with me. I’ll always be very grateful for the way he looked after me.
Why did you leave Spurs in 1995?
The guy who brought me to England was my guardian, so when he decided to leave I kind of had to follow him. But I wanted to stay at Spurs. I actually went to Chelsea, which was
a terrific experience with Glenn Hoddle, and they wanted to sign me, but I couldn’t stay in the country because of work permit reasons. I went home for a year and feared my career was finished, but by God’s grace I got another opportunity at Atletico Madrid.
Diego Simeone played for Atletico during your time there. Was he fiery in training?
I tried to avoid him! [ Laughs] He was a feisty character, like his team today. They fight for everything, and that was Simeone. He could play, though. We must not forget that he was a very good player, but he had the other side as well. It was the same as Roy Keane – they could play, but also looked after themselves.
How did you end up at Manchester United?
It was a miracle. I still don’t understand how that happened. I remember being in Madrid watching the 1999 Champions League Final with my agent, then afterwards he said there was interest from United. I couldn’t believe it. I said, “Why would the European champions be interested in a kid from Atletico Madrid?” But I went to The Cliff, trained for a couple of weeks and Sir Alex Ferguson said, “We want to sign you.” It was crazy. I was going to play with guys I’d had pictures of up on my wall.
Who was the best player?
I used to say Keane or Paul Scholes, but when I look back now it’s impossible to choose one. Ryan Giggs was unbelievable as a player and a professional. Then you had David Beckham – when I talk to kids now, I speak about the work ethic you have to put in. We did a bleep test at the beginning of pre- season, and only Beckham and Dwight Yorke could complete it – you had to be super fit. There was also Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Andy Cole and Ruud van Nistelrooy, then Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney came in and took it to another level.
What made Keane and Scholes so special?
Scholes was a magician, a genius, and Roy drove the players every single day. We were never allowed to lower our standards during training – we practised like we were fighting relegation. Training was just like a match, so Saturdays were easier because you weren’t having to take on Scholes, Giggs or Beckham.
Was Ronaldo the best youngster you came across at United?
It’s hard to say. Rooney was fantastic when he arrived, and there was another incredible talent who hasn’t progressed as he should have done: Ravel Morrison. He was the most naturally talented player I’ve ever seen, but he didn’t make the next step like Ronaldo and Rooney. Talent- wise, Ravel was close to them.
How hard was it for you to get game time – did frustration ever set in?
I could never complain, as one week I’d see Solskjaer score three or four goals, and the next he was on the bench! I had to work hard and be patient, then I finally got my first start at home to Bradford on a freezing Boxing Day. The pitch was muddy, but I didn’t think about the weather. I was playing for United at Old Trafford – it was beyond my wildest dreams.
You didn’t get a Premier League winner’s medal in 2000 or 2001 because you hadn’t played enough. Was that painful, and what did it mean when you finally received one in 2003 after the club requested it?
I was gutted in the first two seasons. It’s all changed now – if you play one or two games you get a medal. When your team- mates are lifting the trophy, you’re stood there thinking, ‘ I wish I had a medal’. It was hard, but I told myself, ‘ Keep working’. There were chances to go elsewhere, but I wanted to prove myself. Eventually, I got my medal and was grateful for it. That was a reward for the effort I put in.
Was your brief spell at Bolton beneficial?
I had a great time with Sam Allardyce – he’s a brilliant manager. I understood why Bolton were so good, because for years United found it tough against Kevin Davies and high balls. I realised there was a method to it. In terms of sports science, Sam was so far ahead. He had an amazing way of man- managing his players, and how he’d motivate the likes of El- Hadji Diouf to give it his all. I’d like to have stayed longer, but injuries kept following me.
You were in the first South Africa team to reach a World Cup. How proud were you?
How can I describe it? I was at home in Cape Town in 1990, watching my first World Cup. Cameroon scored the winner in the opening match against Argentina, then I went to the football pitch with my friends and pretended to be Maradona, Klinsmann, Baggio, Schillaci. Eight years later I was playing at a World Cup – never in a million years did I believe I’d be there. After everything our country had been through, I stood in the tunnel before our first group game thinking, ‘ This is beyond dreams’.
You’ve moved into coaching, with Cardiff, Manchester United and currently Reading. Have you enjoyed it?
I love it – coaching is the best thing besides playing. I really enjoy helping young players to improve and sharing all the experiences in my career – what I went through at United, the guys I played with, how they acted and trained – trying to make them better players and better human beings.