Sir Alex Ferguson is one of the most successful managers in the history of football, having won an incredible 38 trophies during his 26-year tenure at Manchester United. He is also renowned for his no-nonsense approach to management, and his willingness to speak his mind.
This was demonstrated in a famous incident in 2011, when Ferguson was caught on camera shouting at winger Nani after the Portuguese star was the victim of a horror tackle from Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.
The incident occurred during a Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Anfield. Nani had just received the ball from a pass from teammate Antonio Valencia, when Carragher lunged in with a two-footed tackle. The tackle was so bad that it left Nani with a broken leg, and he was stretchered off the pitch.
Ferguson was furious with the tackle, and he was seen on camera shouting at Nani as he was being taken off the pitch. The exact words that Ferguson shouted at Nani have never been revealed, but it is believed that he shouted something along the lines of “What the hell were you thinking?”
The incident was a reminder of Ferguson’s no-nonsense approach to management, and it was a stark reminder of the consequences of making a mistake on the pitch. It was also a reminder of the respect that Ferguson had for his players, and the lengths he was willing to go to in order to protect them.
Carragher was later given a three-match ban for the tackle, and he later apologised to Nani for the incident. Nani was able to make a full recovery from the injury, and he went on to make over 200 appearances for Manchester United before leaving the club in 2015.
The incident between Ferguson and Nani is a reminder of the passion and commitment that Ferguson had for his players, and the lengths he was willing to go to in order to protect them. It is also a reminder of the respect that Ferguson had for his players, and the lengths he was willing to go to in order to ensure that they were given the best possible chance of success.