Hodgson: Ferguson is a magician
DORTMUND: Manchester United’s Premier League title triumph and the winning mentality of evergreen manager Sir Alex Ferguson were widely praised across the game yesterday, with England boss Roy Hodgson labelling him a “magician”.
United clinched their 20th league title on Monday after Robin van Persie’s hat-trick sealed a 3-0 win over Aston Villa, giving Ferguson the 49th trophy in his long managerial career.
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho, who challenged United’s domestic dominance by winning two titles with Chelsea between 2004-2007, hailed Ferguson on the eve of Real’s Champions League semi-final first leg at Borussia Dortmund.
“What he did is what he has been doing all his life, winning,” Mourinho said. “Sometimes not consecutively, because it is impossible to do it.
“That’s his life and his career. I congratulate him, it is not a surprise to me or to the world that Sir Alex and Manchester United won the title again.”
Hodgson, whose England side rely on United players such as Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck, was in awe at the way United had recovered from losing last term’s title with the final kick on goal difference to Manchester City.
“If we’re talking about magic in football, the only magicians I know are people like Sir Alex. There’s not so much you can say other than we’d all like to know how he does it,” Hodgson said.
“Year after year he keeps producing incredible performances and keeps being able to rebuild sides from the ashes of the previous team.”
United great Bobby Charlton reckoned the current side was one of their best.
“It was impossible for anyone to follow us, we were right on song. This is maybe one of the best squads of players that we have had,” he said. – Reuters