CaughtOffside » Darren Ferguson

Eight Potential Replacements for Manchester United Boss Sir Alex Ferguson?

Jack Atchinson — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 12:30:08 +0000

Old Trafford legend does not know will replace him, but do you?

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Manchester United hero Ryan Giggs says finding a replacement for Sir Alex Ferguson will be difficult.
Giggs is convinced Ferguson could remain in his job for a further “four or five” years, when the Old Trafford hierarchy eventually meet to appoint a successor, the test will be stiff indeed.
“It is a massive challenge,” said Giggs.
“We are talking about the most successful manager ever.
“He is constantly evolving, trying to get the age of the team right, so that will help the next manager.
“Also, you normally take over when a team is struggling but hopefully this team will be in good shape.
“It’s not impossible but it is going to be tough.”
Source: tribalfootball.com

So who will it be?

The list of contenders is potentially endless.

Will David Gill and the Glazers go for an established name or take a gamble on an up and coming manager who will last 25 years just like Sir Alex?

With the current generation (Ryan Giggs, Edwin van der Sar, Paul Scholes, Rio Ferdinand) seemingly nearing the end of their glittering careers, who will lead the next generation of Old Trafford talent?

Here is a list of a few of the names, but let us know who you think should get the job and why.

Jose Mourinho

The Special One would jump off any ship to replace Sir Alex Ferguson. Knocking United out of the Champions League with Porto made him realise how special Old Trafford is, and even at Chelsea he knew United were the main team.

Laurent Blanc

Played for United under Ferguson, and learned a great deal from the Scot. Made a very impressive start to managerial life at Bordeaux and has carried on in the same vein as manger of the French national team.

Pep Guardiola

Barcelona are a great team, but only since Pep took over. He got rid of big names (Ronaldinho, Eto’o) and created a unified team who play the best football in the world. Still young enough to create an Old Trafford dynasty.

David Moyes

The fiery Scot has been linked for ages as a potential successor and has worked wonders at Everton, with a limited budget. Lack of top level experience may cost him, but he holds dear many principles that Sir Alex cherishes too.

Darren Ferguson

If Sir Alex does choose his successor, bet on him mentioning Darren. Like many monarchs in the past, naming your son as your heir is common place. Fergie junior also knows a lot of the United youth players having had half of them on-loan.

André Villas-Boas

The man who worked with Mourinho at Chelsea but fell out due to their differing approaches in style. Villas-Boas believes in the Arsene Wenger method, and is producing wonderful results at FC Porto. A young manager who is hungry for success.

Owen Coyle

Another Scot who has similar principles to Fergie. Has worked his way up the leagues and been praised for his attacking style of play. Needs exposure to European football, but rumours are Arsenal are keeping tabs on him as successor to Professor Wenger.

Mark Hughes

Will managing Manchester City ruin his chances of succeeding Sir Alex. Probably, but the Welshman is certainly worth a look as he has improved every team he has been in charge of. He knows all about Old Trafford and what is required to win there.

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Peterborough United Confirm Darren Ferguson as New Boss

The Newshound — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 12:20:23 +0000

Sir Alex’s son gets new job just two weeks after Preston sacking.

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Peterborough United have confirmed the return of Darren Ferguson as their new manager.
Ferguson, 38, replaces Gary Johnson at London Road, where he enjoyed back-to-back promotions before leaving in November 2009.
Johnson left the League One club on Monday night after disagreements with the chairman, Darragh MacAnthony.
Ferguson, who has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract, was dismissed by Preston North End just after Christmas, but has the chance to take Peterborough up for a third time after they moved back into the play-off places with a 2-1 win over Brentford last night. (Guardian)

Good to see that The Posh have seen sense, they did of course sack Darren Ferguson after he had achieved back to back promotions and now Sir Alex’s son is back at London Road. Given that the Man United boss took back three loan players from Preston when they axed Ferguson junior, perhaps the League One side could try to bring them in to help their push for promotion back to the Championship?

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Preston North End Sack Manager Darren Ferguson

Mr Neutral — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 19:38:10 +0000

Deepdale boss given the boot.

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Preston North End have sacked manager Darren Ferguson with the club bottom of the Championship table.
The former Peterborough boss, 38, took charge at Deepdale in January, but won only 13 of his 49 games in charge.
A statement on the club website read: “The club expressed their appreciation of the efforts made by Darren.
“We felt that the league position represented a significant threat to the club and it was felt that a change of manager might bring better fortune.”
Ferguson’s last game in charge at Deepdale was a 3-1 defeat by Middlesbrough on Tuesday and Preston sit five points adrift of 21st-placed Boro in the table.
The Scot enjoyed major success in his first two full seasons as Peterborough boss, leading them to back-to-back promotions to the Championship but left by mutual consent in November 2009 with them propping up the table. (BBC Sport)

It’s almost as though sacking managers is some sort of epidemic that’s going around. Earlier today Brian Laws was axed as Burnley boss and now Sir Alex Ferguson’s son has been given the chop at Deepdale. Darren Ferguson had every right to be aggrieved when he was sacked by Peterborough after achieving back to back promotions but things at Preston have not gone quite so well.

Ferguson has managed just 13 wins from his 49 games in charge and given that Preston are bottom of the table and some five points from safety so the sacking was not that surprising but I would guess that the former Man United and Wolves midfielder will be back in a job before too long.

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Preston North End Name Darren Ferguson as New Boss

Mr Neutral — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:34:54 +0000

Sir Alex’s son finds himself gainfully employed once again.

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Preston have announced the appointment Darren Ferguson as their new manager.
Ferguson left Peterborough by mutual consent in November, with the club bottom of the Championship.
The Scot, son of Manchester United boss Sir Alex, will replace Alan Irvine, who was relieved of his duties last week. (BBC Sport)

Many people were surprised when Peterborough decided to part company with Darren Ferguson late last year, especially given that Sir Alex’s son had led the Posh to successive promotions. Some had initially believed that the Scot had a nice job lined up but that didn’t appear to be the case at the time but now he has found himself in a good post at Deepdale.

Even though Preston find themselves in the wrong half of the table such is the congestion in the Championship that they are still candidates to challenge for a play-off space in a division that sees 4th and 17th places separated by just nine points. The 37 year old appears to have a long successful managerial career ahead of him and whilst some believed he could be heading for a Premier League job it is perhaps wiser to continue to learn his trade at a lower level and perhaps achieve that top tier dream at The Lilywhites?

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