Whilst Liverpool supporters around the globe collectively cheer the appointment of ‘King’ Kenny Dalglish as permanent Liverpool manager, at the same time an equally loud groan could be heard coming from down the East Lancs road in
Manchester. Manchester United fans might not pay any significance to the freshly announced appointment of Dalglish, but Sir Alex Ferguson will.
But, why would a manager who is set to be crowned champion of England again and possibly Europe, be so displeased with his fellow Scotsman taking charge?
The answer is relatively simple. Ferguson knows he cannot get under the skin of Dalglish like he may with other managers he has faced. Ferguson has been able to get into the psyche of most counterparts he has faced, and whittled down the wills of many great personalities during the crucial parts of the season in the quest for silverware. The near comical scene of Kevin Keegan ranting during Newcastle United’s doomed 1995/96 title bid was all down to Ferguson’s constant sniping in the press. The United manager has even managed to get a rise out of Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho in the past, whilst famously Rafa Benitez listed a number of ‘facts’ during a press conference during Liverpool’s failed title push in 2009/10.
When Ferguson took charge of Manchester United in 1986 it was his sole aim to ‘knock them off their perch’ referring to the dominant Liverpool team who had conquered the 1970’s and 80’s. Dalglish was in charge of Liverpool at that time and went on to win the league and cup double in both 1986 and 89. At this time United had limited success and Ferguson was famously only one game away from the sack. But all things changed when in 1991 Kenny Dalglish left Liverpool and Liverpool’s period of dominance was over and United’s about to begin. But Dalglish resurfaced at Blackburn Rovers and in 1995 he guided them to the Premiership Title ahead of Manchester United. During the season and in particular the run in, Ferguson tried his famous ‘mind games’ on Dalglish but to no avail: Dalglish kept the press at distance speaking of the old Liverpool mantra: We’re only focused on the next game.
During the upcoming season, should Liverpool and Manchester United be involved in the hunt for major trophies, Ferguson will undoubtedly chance his arm at swaying the Liverpool ship and getting a rise out of Dalglish to completely destabilise the clubs direction like he did to Keegan and Benitez. But Ferguson may as well save his breath this time around. Why would he bother trying to anger Dalglish through the press when Dalglish is famous for being awkward towards the press and repeatedly saying the same old school mantras he took from the quiet and unassuming managers he played under, Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan. He won’t get a reaction, maybe only an amusing quip from the satirical Dalglish.
Ferguson may be a knight of the realm, but there can only be one King.
Michael Healey.
