Richard Yinka is a sport analyst, sport writer and a Manchester United fan
3 Minutes Read
Sir Alex Ferguson: It reminds people about the GOAT- Greatest of all time, which defines the legacy of the champion.
The recent victory of Real Madrid over Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League final stage that took place at Wembley has begun a number of debates on the matter of a manager’s success. While Real Madrid’s dominance in European football continues to grow, it is worth remembering the last manager to defeat the Spanish giants in a European final is the legendary Sir Alex ferguson. This was a historic event, which was experienced in the 1983 Cup Winner’s Cup final when Ferguson was with Aberdeen, defeating Real Madrid 2-1.
A Historic Victory
In a historic victory that transpired in the year 1983, Sir Alex Ferguson, who was the manager of Aberdeen, a small time club from Scotland, defeating Europe’s giants Madrid. This victory would see goals from Eric Black and John Hewitt, but more importantly, it would etch Sir Alex Ferguson’s name in the history of European football. It was not just about how effectively Ferguson was able to out- strategise the opposition but also how effectively he was able to motivate his players and his side even when the odds were stacked against them.
Real Madrid’s Unstoppable Journey
Real Madrid lost that particular year in 1983 since then it has created something remarkable in European competitions. It has set a record of having won 16 European titles that include the UEFA Champions League title nine times, the UEFA Europa League twice, as well as the UEFA Super Cup five times. Their latest triumphs include the recent 2-0 defeat of Borussia Dortmund proving that their supremacy still stays unchallenged. Carvajal put the team ahead with a header after the break, and Vinicius Jr. confirmed the victory with a beautiful finish, strengthening Real Madrid’s status as Europe’s premier football club.
Ferguson’s Legacy
Sir Alex Ferguson. credit- Wikipedia
This is the case because Real Madrid has continued to excel in its games making Sir Alex Ferguson’s legacy to glow brighter in this area. After a rather successful spell with Aberdeen, Ferguson joined Manchester United in 1986. In three decades, he turned the club into one of the strongest teams in the world and won 13 Premier League and two Champions leagues. His inspirational management approach that included functional strategies in tactics, control of players, and tenacity to win revolutionized football.
Respect for the Master
The fact that Ferguson was able to manage Aberdeen to beat Real Madrid is still extraordinary. It shows the flexibility that he has had in his career. This achievement is even more impressive if one considers that Real Madrid has dominated the European competitions in recent years. Even the fans and critics are still jaw-dropped on how Ferguson, despite having a relatively small quality squad, was able to stop the Spanish giants.
