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Since Sir Alex Ferguson retired back in 2013, bringing an end to his 27 years as Manchester United’s manager, The Red Devils have struggled to appoint a long-term successor.
Between 2013 and now, United have had a total of five permanent managers including the current boss, Erik ten Hag, with two more as caretaker managers in the form of Michael Carrick and Ralf Rangnick.
The club have gone through a run of names including David Moyes, Louis van Gall, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
However, the longest serving since Ferguson has been Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who went from caretaker manager to permanent manager and lasted just under three years at the club with 168 games.
Ten Hag is slowly creeping up to Solskjaer with 125 matches played, although with United’s current form, much speculation suggests he may not have many more outings at Old Trafford.
Manchester United’s board of executives met this week in their routine monthly operational meeting, however, it’s understood that a key part of the agenda is ten Hag’s future at the club.
Although no longer the manager at United, Sir Alex Ferguson does still hold an important role at the club as a member of the board of directors. As such, the 82-year-old has now told the club what characteristics the next manager needs.
Sir Alex Ferguson advises on the next manager at Manchester United
Now, Sir Alex Ferguson has come out to say that the next manager of The Red Devils has to have two key characteristics; a good personality and communication skills.
Speaking on The Go Radio Business Show with Sir Tom Hunter and Lord Willie Haughey, Ferguson commented on the job of United manager, saying: “I think that the manager role has gone now.”
He continued: “I was lucky that I had a spell at United, where I was a manager and had control of most parts of the club because I immersed myself in it and also – which was really important – I had the personality and the communication skills to do that.
“And, also, the fans from all over the world, you have to be aware you have to deliver not just for your players, but for a massive fanbase.”
Speaking of his move from Aberdeen to Manchester United, Ferguson said: “I learned a lot taking that step from Aberdeen,”
He continued: “Aberdeen was comfortable, I controlled the club, it was a great little club, fantastic. But, to jump from there to United, it took me about two years to understand what made United the club that they were under Sir Matt Busby, and that was young players.
“There was no doubt about that. He created a situation where Manchester United were regarded and recognised as a club that would give young people a chance.”
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