Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger are the latest inductees into the Premier League Hall of Fame as the first managers to be celebrated. And Sir Alex has revealed details about dinners the iconic duo have shared since retirement, including whose job it is to select the wine…
The Scotsman is the most successful manager in Premier League history, lifting 13 titles with Manchester United across 21 seasons in the competition.
He started the Premier League by winning its inaugural title in 1993 and ended his decorated career by securing United’s last in 2013.
Sir Alex epitomised longevity, showcasing unmatched man-management skills as he regularly rebuilt his squads to ensure a winning habit at Old Trafford never died.
For a long period of his tenure, Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal side were United’s main rivals, and the pair were involved in some ferocious battles on the touchline.
But he has lifted the lid on their relationship since walking away from their respective technical areas, where their encounters are far more friendly.
Sir Alex said: “I’m truly delighted to be inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame. It’s an honour when you receive recognition like this.
“However, it’s not just about me as a person. It’s about the job at Manchester United and the bond we had over many years, so I’m also proud for the club, the staff and my players.
“My job was to send the fans home happy. United’s history and my own expectations were the things that drove me.
“And I then had to try and develop all my players with the same expectations and make sure we could go out and achieve them.
“I feel Arsene is a very worthy inductee as he transformed Arsenal Football Club fantastically.
“They became a tough team to compete with, and we both wanted to win, which motivated us further.
“Through the years since retirement, we’d go for dinner together in a little restaurant he knows well in Switzerland.
“He is a really interesting man, and I enjoy his company, but it is still my job to pick the wine!”
Sir Alex, who won 528 of his 810 Premier League matches in charge of United, follows six of his former players into the Hall of Fame.
David Beckham, Eric Cantona, Roy Keane, Wayne Rooney, Peter Schmeichel and Paul Scholes were already present, and more Red Devils icons will undoubtedly follow.
Source: express.co.uk
