Sir Alex Ferguson revealed there was not a chance that he would “contemplate” taking one managerial role during his time as Manchester United head coach.
The 83-year-old Scotsman made a name for himself as a manager in his native homeland ahead of his arrival in England with Manchester United.
Sir Alex Ferguson lifted a Scottish First Division title with St Mirren before the United legend ushered in a period of silverware success for Aberdeen.
During his time at Aberdeen, the iconic Scot lifted three Scottish Premier Division titles, four Scottish Cups and a Scottish League Cup as the club’s manager.
Ferguson’s defining achievement at the Pittodrie came with Aberdeen’s famous win against Real Madrid in the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1983.
Ron Atkinson was dismissed as United manager in 1986 and his departure from Old Trafford paved the way for Ferguson’s arrival from Scottish side Aberdeen.
Ferguson would see out the rest of his managerial career at Old Trafford, with the Aberdeen legend enjoying an incredible 26-year reign at the Red Devils.
The former United manager overcame a tough start to life in England before Ferguson ushered in a period of dominance over English football.
Ferguson turned down managerial role
Sir Alex Ferguson lifted 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, five FA Cups and four League Cups during his remarkable time at Old Trafford.
The Manchester United legend bowed out of Old Trafford as head coach after leading the Red Devils to their last Premier League trophy in 2013.
Ferguson, who is widely regarded as one of the best managers of all time, also captured an iconic treble win with the Red Devils during the 1998-99 season.
The former Aberdeen boss attracted interest during his time at Old Trafford, but Ferguson remained at the Premier League club and enjoyed incredible success.
Ferguson admitted that he was approached over the head coach role for the England national team, with the first occasion coming in 1999.
The ex-Red Devils boss revealed that he was asked to take over at England before former Newcastle and Fulham manager Kevin Keegan was appointed.
Fast-forward to 2021 and the late Sven-Goran Eriksson took charge of the Three Lions, but not before Ferguson was approached again for the role.
“There was no way I could contemplate that,” Ferguson said in his 2013 autobiography, as per The Independent.
“It wasn’t a bed of nails I was ever tempted to lie on.”
Ferguson’s strong allegiance to Scotland
Ferguson had taken charge of the Scotland national team ahead of his arrival at Old Trafford in 1986 after the tragic passing of former manager Jock Stein.
The former United manager had been part of Jock Stein’s coaching staff during the 1986 World Cup qualifying campaign and deeply admired his fellow countryman.
Stein collapsed during the 1-1 draw between Wales and Scotland in 1985 for the World Cup qualifier held at Ninian Park in Cardiff.
Ferguson stepped up to manage Scotland in the 1986 World Cup after Stein’s death, with the United legend stepping back from his duties with Aberdeen at the time.
“The difficulty I had after Jock passed away and I got the job full-time was not being able to do training sessions on Thursday with the Aberdeen team,” he told the Scottish FA’s website, as per Manchester United’s official website in June.
“When it happened, we were top of the league and we ended up third, but we won two cups and we could have won the treble.
“Given the importance of Scotland getting to the World Cup, especially after Jock had passed away, I think I was right to spend the time I did with Scotland.
“I think they had other options. Ernie Walker [the Scottish FA president at the time] had a decision to make and I think he was a bit concerned that I already had a job.
“I knew I had a good job at Aberdeen and I knew I had a responsibility to do well there but I was hopeful they would invite me.
“I got that opportunity and I passed it over Dick [Donald]’s head and he was fine. Then I started preparing for the games against Australia, which was a two-legged tie.”
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