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SA
Football Biography

Sir Alex Ferguson

“Fergie”

Scottish flag Scottish · Govan, Glasgow · Born 31 December 1941

Manager

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The 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.

Famous For

Most successful manager in British football history

Legacy

Lasting Impact

Transformed Manchester United into global powerhouse, won 49 major trophies as manager

Honours & Achievements

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 Career
Club Period Apps Goals
Queen's Park1957–19603115
St Johnstone1960–19643719
Dunfermline Athletic1964–19678966
Rangers1967–19694125
Falkirk1969–19739537
Ayr United1973–1974249
Career Journey

Timeline

1974 📌 Began managerial career at East Stirlingshire
1978 📌 Appointed Aberdeen manager
1983 🏆 Won European Cup Winners' Cup with Aberdeen
1986 📌 Appointed Manchester United manager
1990 🏆 Won first trophy with Man United (FA Cup)
1993 🏆 Won first Premier League title
1999 🏆 Won historic treble with Manchester United
1999 🥇 Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II
2013 📌 Retired from football management
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

3 common questions about Sir Alex Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson won 38 major trophies throughout his career.

Sir Alex Ferguson played for: As manager: East Stirlingshire, St Mirren, Aberdeen, Scotland, Manchester United.

Sir Alex Ferguson's estimated net worth is $50m.