Sir Alex Ferguson was known for giving the ‘hairdryer treatment’ at Manchester United and one former assistant feared his wrath.
The impact of Sir Alex Ferguson is inescapable at Manchester United.
United’s 13 Premier League title wins all came under Ferguson and his retirement in 2013 set the club on a difficult path.
Nobody has been able to replicate Ferguson’s success and United’s final title win came as he left the club in 2013.
David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag have all had a crack at the United job but haven’t matched Ferguson’s brilliance.
It’s now Ruben Amorim’s turn in the United hot seat and fans are left hoping for the glory days to return under the new boss.
Mike Phelan on Sir Alex Ferguson
Ferguson had many assistants at United, from Archie Knox to Steve McClaren, from Brian Kidd to Carlos Queiroz.
The final assistant of the Ferguson era was Mike Phelan as he replaced Quieroz in 2008 and saw out the final five years of Ferguson’s reign.
A former United utility man in his playing days, Phelan was a hugely popular member of staff under Ferguson.
Phelan returned alongside Solskjaer in 2018 but many fans will remember him for one moment back in 2008.
United drew 1-1 at Chelsea in September 2008 but was arguably most notable for Ferguson having the fright of his life.
Phelan picked up a balloon and popped it right next to Ferguson, with the United boss almost jumping out of his skin.
Ferguson was seen presumably swearing as Phelan laughed away, but the Scot certainly wasn’t laughing at the time.
Phelan has now told The Mirror (15/12, p68) that he thought his United career might have been over there and then.
Phelan noted that Ferguson ‘went mental’ at first but eventually saw the funny side and kept Phelan on as his assistant for the next five years.
“I thought my Manchester United career had ended,” said Phelan.
“At first I thought it was the funniest thing I’d ever done but Alex went mental. Thankfully for me he later saw the funny side of it,” he added.
Phelan on Wayne Rooney
Phelan is now back in the game having recently secured a move to the Championship.
Former United star Wayne Rooney has hired Phelan at Plymouth Argyle, bringing him in as an assistant head coach.
Rooney and Phelan know each other from their time at United and the pair are now joining forces to try and take Argyle forward.
The Pilgrims sit 23rd in the Championship table and Rooney is under pressure to drag the club away from the drop zone.
Phelan’s experience and know-how will hopefully help Rooney and Argyle with Phelan now moving to praise Rooney – and admit that he couldn’t turn the opportunity down.
“Yes, the Championship is probably the footballing equivalent of the jungle, but I can tell you Wayne is still buzzing and up for the fight,” said Phelan.
“You don’t take on Derby County, Birmingham and DC United unless you want to give it a real good go.
“I was doing my own thing with the coaching company I run. But how can you say no to Wayne, who I obviously know well from our time together at Old Trafford?
“You want him to have a fair crack at the job, especially with so many people ready to dismiss him without really being given a chance.
“To be fair to the kid he’s got some good knowledge. The players are working with him and for him. You heart that this is his last chance as a manger. For me that’s too simplistic. It’s too easy to judge someone just on results.
“You’ve got to look deeper and that’s the same with Wayne’ situation. If you are intelligent enough, which Wayne is, then you will improve. Now that I’m around him more I know he wasn’t prepared to settle for the easier life of being a TV pundit.
“Instead, he wants to find himself in his true calling, which is to be a successful coach, manager,” he added.
Argyle take on Middlesbrough this weekend with Rooney set to face off against former United teammate Michael Carrick.
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