Scottish · Govan, Glasgow · Born 31 December 1941The most successful manager in British football history — 38 trophies with Manchester United including 13 Premier League titles and 2 Champions Leagues.
Sir Alexander Chapman Ferguson was born in Govan, Glasgow in 1941 and had a playing career as a centre-forward for clubs including Rangers and Aberdeen. He entered management at East Stirlingshire (1974) and St Mirren (1974–78) before Aberdeen (1978–1986), where he broke the Old Firm stranglehold on Scottish football — winning 3 league titles and, most remarkably, the 1983 European Cup Winners' Cup against Real Madrid in Gothenburg. Manchester United appointed him in November 1986 and he spent 27 years at Old Trafford (1986–2013). He won 13 Premier League titles, 5 FA Cups, 4 League Cups and 2 Champions Leagues — including the 1999 Treble. His total of 38 major trophies as a manager is the most in British football history. He managed 1,500 matches at United, winning 895. He was knighted in 1999. He oversaw the development of Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Roy Keane, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney. He suffered a brain haemorrhage in 2018 but recovered. He retired in May 2013, the same day as his final Premier League title, leaving United as the most successful club in English football history.
Most successful manager in British football history
Lasting Impact
Transformed Manchester United into global powerhouse, won 49 major trophies as manager
Career Honours
- Champions League 1999, 2008 (Manchester United)
- Premier League 13x
- FA Cup 5x
- League Cup 4x
- Cup Winners' Cup 1991, 1983 (Aberdeen)
- European Cup Winners' Cup 1991
- Scottish Premier Division 3x (Aberdeen)
- European Cup Winners' Cup 1983 (Aberdeen)
- Scottish Premier Division 1980, 1984, 1985 (Aberdeen)
- Scottish Cup 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986 (Aberdeen)
| Club | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen | 1978–1986 | — |
| Manchester United | 1986–2013 | — |
| St Mirren | 1974–1978 | |
| East Stirlingshire | 1974–1974 |