December 1965
A tribute to long-serving manager Matt Busby
The front cover of World Soccer featured Manchester United’s John Aston in action against Tottenham Hotspur, while inside there was an article by Roger MacDonald in celebration of manager Matt Busby’s 20 years in charge at Old Trafford.
MacDonald points out that Busby was the only one of nearly 900 managers since the end of World War II to still be with the same British club. And when he refers to Busby as being a “team dictator”, the United chief agrees, saying: “I made no bones about it. The team would have to be my responsibility alone.”
Saying of the United board “if I flopped, they could fire me”, Busby was quick to acknowledge that there was no meddling on their behalf. “I have not met with any interference from the directors,” he explained. “I wouldn’t have put up with it, and I haven’t had to.”
As boss of the reigning English champions, Busby had so far won four league titles, two FA Cups and enjoyed two runs to the European Cup semi-finals since his appointment in 1945. Much of his success was based on a belief in youth, though he says he never liked the “Busby Babes” name that was attached to his side. He also warned: “Brilliant boys don’t always make brilliant professionals. You might try 100 and find one, but this, over and over, is what we’ve done.”
Busby’s Manchester United will, of course, be forever remembered for the Munich air disaster in 1958, which would leave 23 dead and the manager’s life in the balance.
Of that tragic event, he recalls: “I was lost and sorrowing, and for a short period utterly defeated.
“A man’s help at such times is not his experience, but his faith and the love and encouragement of his friends.”
MacDonald believes that much of Busby’s success as a manager can be attributed to his upbringing. Having worked as a miner for £2 a week, his earnings leapt to £5 when he joined Manchester City as a full-time player, but he never lost sight of the harsher side of the game.
“As a footballer I had suffered and seen other players suffer,” admits Busby. “I thought I could handle men differently. I not only demand respect from players, I give respect to them.”
After 20 years in charge at United, the club made Busby a shareholder. And as chairman Louis Edwards says of him: “He has made a tremendous contribution to Britain’s soccer reputation. It is a fitting tribute to the greatest football manager in the world.”
“Brilliant boys don’t always make brilliant professionals. You might try 100 and find one” Matt Busby