Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson opened up about his admiration for one influential manager and how he “bombarded him with a million questions” every time he could.
Sir Alex Ferguson is widely considered one of the best head coaches of all time after his legendary legacy in Scotland and England as a manager.
The former Manchester United manager achieved incredible success with Aberdeen, including famously lifting the European Cup Winners’ Cup with the Scottish side.
Ferguson also captured three Scottish Premier Division titles, four Scottish Cups and a Scottish League Cup with Aberdeen before his arrival at United in 1986.
The 82-year-old iconic Scot weathered a tough start to lift at Old Trafford before enjoying unbelievable trophy laden success with the Red Devils.
Ferguson lifted 13 Premier League titles during his time at United and led the Red Devils to two Champions League trophies, five FA Cups and four League Cups.
The former Aberdeen boss was also the first manager in history to lead an English team to a continental treble during United’s famous 1998-99 season.
Ferguson bowed out of Old Trafford as a manager for the final time in 2013 after he led the Red Devils to their last Premier League title in the 2012-13 campaign.
Ferguson’s deep respect for one manager
Before his time at Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson was part of the coaching staff for Scotland’s national team under former manager Jock Stein.
Ferguson retained his duties as Aberdeen manager during his work under Jock Stein, who was a mentor and major influence for the former United manager.
However, Stein tragically passed away in 1985 after he collapsed towards the end of a 1-1 World Cup qualifying match between Wales and Scotland in Cardiff.
Scotland punched their ticket to the 1986 World Cup thanks to a late penalty from Davie Cooper, but the 1-1 draw at Ninian Park was overshadowed by Stein’s death.
Ferguson recalled his experience of Stein calling him up to his Scotland coaching staff and how he “bombarded him” with a “million questions” every chance he had.
“When Jock offered me the job, I jumped at it,” he said, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“It was a boost for me at that time in my career. I was basically learning all the time and keen to do so.
“It was an honour, first of all. But what an opportunity, the chance to learn from someone like Jock Stein.
“To be honest with you, I bombarded him with a million questions every time I was in his company. It was just football, football, football.”
Ferguson on taking over from Stein as Scotland manager
Following the passing of Jock Stein, Ferguson stepped up and took charge of the Scotland national team as manager for the 1986 World Cup.
Ferguson’s right-hand man at Aberdeen was Archie Knox, who was promoted from assistant manager to co-manager during the United legend’s absence.
Scotland were in Group E at the World Cup alongside Uruguay, West Germany and Denmark, but Ferguson was unable to lead his country to the knockout stages.
Ferguson would step down as Scotland manager in 1986 ahead of his departure from Aberdeen and subsequent move to United.
Speaking on his time as Scotland manager, he said: “The difficulty I had after Jock passed away and I got the job full time was not being able to do training sessions on Thursday with the Aberdeen team.
“When it happened, we were top of the league and we ended up third, but we won two cups and we could have won the treble.
“Given the importance of Scotland getting to the World Cup, especially after Jock had passed away, I think I was right to spend the time I did with Scotland.”
Ferguson added: “I think they had other options. Ernie Walker [the Scottish FA president at the time] had a decision to make and I think he was a bit concerned that I already had a job.
“I knew I had a good job at Aberdeen and I knew I had a responsibility to do well there but I was hopeful they would invite me.
“I got that opportunity and I passed it over Dick [Donald]’s head and he was fine. Then I started preparing for the games against Australia, which was a two-legged tie.”