Iconic former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson dropped invaluable advice to a manager who was in a “bad place” and helped put him back on track.
Sir Alex Ferguson, who is one of the best managers of all time, bowed out of Old Trafford in 2013 after he led Manchester United to their last Premier League title.
The legendary ex-Red Devils coach hoovered up the major silverware during his time in the United dugout, including leading the club to an iconic treble win in 1999.
Following his career at Old Trafford, Ferguson has remained an ever-present figure at United and continued to support the current Red Devils squad from the stands.
The 82-year-old Scotsman has also shown his true class by supporting those in the football world, including one ex-player who took his first steps into management.
Ferguson, who claimed he only managed four world-class players at United, once again offered his full support to a manager who went through a dark period.
Man Utd legend Ferguson offered advice
Wigan Athletic manager Shaun Maloney previously managed at Scottish side Hibernian before his arrival at the DW Stadium in 2023.
The 41-year-old Scotsman, who retired from football in 2017, took his first steps into management when he was appointed Hibernian manager in 2021.
However, Shaun Maloney endured a tough time at the Scottish Premiership side and his spell lasted only four months before he was sacked from Hibernian.
The former Celtic and Wigan Athletic player only managed six wins from 19 matches in charge of Hibernian, with Maloney suffering a major setback early in his career.
Maloney revealed he spoke to Sir Alex Ferguson after his sacking from Hibernian and was initially surprised by the advice that the Manchester United legend offered him.
Speaking to FourFourTwo magazine, he said: “Things started well at Hibs, but we lost some of our best attacking players in the January.
“My relationship with people behind the scenes became strained and I left after four months in the job. I was in a bad place after that and spoke to Sir Alex Ferguson.
“He told me that it might end up being the best thing to ever happen to me, which I couldn’t comprehend at the time.
“But he was right – it had been a huge learning curve – and those words helped me.”
Maloney on Erik ten Hag and Man Utd
Fast-forward to 2024 and Maloney saw his Wigan side face United in the third round of the FA Cup, which ended in a 2-0 defeat for him at the DW Stadium in January.
However, Maloney admitted that he asked Erik ten Hag if he could come and see him to “watch how he does things” and the United boss was “open” to the idea.
“We knew they’d hog the ball, but I was proud of our display,” he said.
“I didn’t get much of a chance to chat to Erik ten Hag, but I asked if I could come over later in the season and watch how he does things.
“He was open to that, so it’s something we’ll definitely arrange. I want to learn from more experienced managers and am really looking forward to it.”
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