Skip to content

Sir Alex Ferguson does not regret tough Man Utd approach despite title admission

Image: Sir Alex Ferguson was happy to pack a punch as Manchester United boss

Sir Alex Ferguson insists he has no regrets about taking a hardline approach to management even though he admits it may have cost Manchester United Premier League titles.

Ferguson won 13 league titles with United during his 27-year tenure at Old Trafford before he retired at the end of the 2012/13 season.

Sir Alex Ferguson lifts the Premier League trophy for the 13th and final time at Old Trafford
Image: Ferguson lifts the Premier League trophy for the 13th and final time at Old Trafford

However, he believes he may have won even more silverware if he had not adopted a tough disciplinary approach.

The likes of David Beckham, Roy Keane, Jaap Stam and Ruud Van Nistelrooy all incurred the Scot's wrath during his reign at Manchester United.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 13: Manager Sir Alex Ferguson and Ruud van Nistelrooy of Manchester United chat during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground on January 13 2006 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Image: Ferguson and Ruud van Nistelrooy had their moments at United

"People will give a manager plenty of opportunities to crack the whip so it's best to pick and choose your moments," Ferguson writes in his new book Leading, which is out on September 22.

"You don't have to dish out a punishment very often before everyone gets the message.

MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 09:  Roy Keane of Celtic chats with Sir Alex Ferguson of Manchester United after the Roy Keane Testimonial match between Manchester United and Celtic at Old Trafford on May 9, 2006 in Manchester, England.  (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Image: Former United skipper Roy Keane has a word with his boss

"I place discipline above all else and it might have cost us several titles.

Also See:

"But if I had to repeat things I'd do it precisely the same because discipline has to come before anything else."

The extracts from Leading by Sir Alex Ferguson first appeared on Manchester United's Official Facebook page

Image: Ferguson was always keen to get his message across
Sky Sports Audio
Sky Sports Audio

Listen to the latest Man Utd transfer news, reaction and big-name opinion, with Sky Sports Audio

Around Sky