SURGERY FOR ALEX FERGUSON AFTER A HAEMORRHAGE
ALEX FERGUSON, who has been widely described as the greatest football manager of all time, was in hospital last night after suffering a brain haemorrhage.
The 76-year-old former Manchester United boss underwent emergency surgery, which doctors said had gone well.
The club said Sir Alex ‘needs a period of intensive care to optimise his recovery. His family request privacy in this matter.’
After complaining of feeling unwell on Thursday, Sir Alex was taken from his Cheshire home by ambulance to Macclesfield District Hospital. From there, he was transferred, with a police escort to Salford Royal. It is understood that his wife Cathy, along with the rest of the family, are at his bedside.
His son Darren, manager of League One side Doncaster Rovers, missed his team’s match yesterday due to what was described as a ‘severe family issue’. The club said: ‘Darren asks for privacy and will provide an update through the club during the week.’
Sir Alex, the most successful manager in English history, famously won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble in 1999. He was later knighted for his achievements.
During his 26-year reign at Manchester United, he seemed all but invincible, winning 13 Premier League titles – an achievement unlikely ever to be surpassed.
He was tough, uncompromising, fiercely loyal, commanding and receiving huge respect from those around him.
Last night, former United captain Michael Carrick tweeted: ‘Absolutely devastated to hear about Sir Alex being unwell in hospital. All my thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.’
And former United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel tweeted: ‘Please be strong. Win this one.’
Sir Alex was at United’s match against Arsenal last weekend, where he presented outgoing boss Arsene Wenger – his long-time rival – with a commemorative trophy.
Speaking before United’s statement was issued, brain surgeon Professor Sir Henry Marsh said it was impossible to know what surgery had been performed on Sir Alex – or what the outcome might be. He added: ‘Without seeing a brain scan, you really cannot tell. He could die, he could make a complete recovery, he could be very disabled. You just cannot predict without seeing the details. There are so many variables.’ After a playing career that included spells at Glasgow Rangers, Sir Alex started his time as a manager with East Stirlingshire. He later enjoyed a highly successful period in charge of Aberdeen, winning three league championships, four Scottish Cups and the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1983. When he finally retired in 2013, he paid tribute to his family, saying their love and support had been essential. He added: ‘Cathy has been the key figure throughout my career, providing a bedrock of both stability and encouragement.
‘Words are not enough to express what this has meant to me.’
Doctors have said that the surgery went well ‘Cathy has been the key figure of my career’
He said of his retirement: ‘The challenges in front of me were good ones – my involvement with United as a director, as an ambassador and my jobs with UEFA, Unicef.’
Sir Alex praised the people who helped him build the club from a team that had not won a title for 26 years into one of the biggest in the world.