Sir Alex Ferguson has been voted greatest manager of all time by World Soccer
Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been voted the greatest manager of all time by World Soccer. Regular readers of the blog will remember that less than three weeks ago we questioned the negative approach towards Ferguson’s career at United, with Brain Glanville – a well respected and highly insightful journalist – focusing more so on previous European Cup winners and the 99 questions posed to Ferguson by former shareholders of Magnier and McManus. Glanville indeed voted for Ferguson.
The summer issue takes a totally different viewpoint, with the great man just beating Rinus Michels by three votes to win the greatest manager of all time.
The panel is made up of mainly journalist, however there are a number of ex-footballers who also voted. Fredi Bobic (the Ex-Germany forward), Packie Bonner (the Ex-Ireland goalkeeper) and ex Liveprool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek are all on the panel and all included Ferguson within their votes. Unsurprisingly, Patrick Barclay – who did an interview with us back in 2010 – did not vote for Fergie, something that I’m not sure is based on footballing qualities. Below is a list with votes of the top five managers:
1) Sir Alex Ferguson (49)
2) Rinus Michels (46)
3) Jose Mourinho (21)
4) Helenio Herrera (19
5) Josep Guardiola (18)
Sir Matt Busby received one vote from Nick Bidwell of World Soccer Germany.
Other United players to be included within the votes but sadly didn’t make the final Xi are listed below and I’ve included the categories with the top voted players:
Goalkeeper
Top: Lev Yashin (31)
– Schmeichel (6)
– Van der Sar (2)
Full backs
Top: Paulo Maldini (48) & Cafu (24)
– No United players included
Centre backs
Top: Franz Beckenbauer (68) & Bobby Moore (23)
– Paul McGrath (3)
Midfield
Top: Diego Maradona (64), Johan Cruyff (58), Zinedine Zidane (28) & Alfredo Di Stefano (24)
– George Best (12)
– Cristiano Ronaldo (7)
– Bobby Charlton (5)
– Ryan Giggs (2)
– Roy Keane (1)
– Bryan Robson (1)
Attack
Top: Pele (56) & Lionel Messi (46)
– No United players included
How would you have voted if you were included in the panel? Please drop your suggestions in the comments below. You can read all the votes of the panel over at World Soccer.