A new documentary about the life and times of Sir Alex Ferguson is released on BBC iPlayer on Boxing Day, and one particular incident is not glossed over
Sir Alex Ferguson once made Cristiano Ronaldo cry in front of the rest of the Manchester United squad after one of his legendary hairdryer treatments – according to a new documentary about the club icon.
‘Sir Alex’ is released on BBC iPlayer on Boxing Day, and chronicles the successful life of the United boss, who picked up 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies at Old Trafford.
The documentary offers insight into the man behind the manager, reflecting on his childhood, family, playing days and influences, as well as touching upon controversies like the Glazers’ takeover and the row over racehorse Rock of Gibraltar.
Ferguson’s time at United takes up the bulk of the documentary but there is also time to reflect on Jock Stein’s impact on him and how he stepped in as Scotland boss after the latter’s shock death in the dugout.
The Scot’s outrageous success at Aberdeen, culminating in 1983 Cup Winners’ Cup glory against almighty Real Madrid, receives important prominence.
Back then former right-back Stuart Kennedy remembers Ferguson’s hairdryer as a “blast furnace”, with Mark McGhee likening it to a “volcano” with the destructive power of Pompeii. Nobody was too big for a dressing down by Ferguson, including up-and-coming star Cristiano Ronaldo.
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand said: “He hadn’t played well, and the manager ripped into Cristiano. Who do you think you are? You’re coming here trying to prove to everybody who you think you are, you think you’re a superstar’.
“I remember Cristiano in tears and I was like, ‘This manager don’t care, man. He doesn’t care who you are’.”
Ronaldo ended up leaving United as one of the world’s best players and calling Ferguson a father figure, underlining the genius of a manager whose uncomfortable start at United is not skirted over.
The 1990 FA Cup win kept Ferguson in the job and ultimately opened the floodgates – he retired as a Premier League champion in 2013 having collected a 38th trophy of his 26-year reign.
‘Sir Alex’ is released on BBC iPlayer on Boxing Day
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