“Forget ability” – Alex Ferguson’s motivational speech is a must-watch

Paul Moore

Goosebumps.

There’s a reason why managers and players – both current and former – still call Alex Ferguson ‘boss.’

At the end of the Euro 2016 final, take a look at the level of respect and admiration that Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani still have for their former manager. Hell, even players that have fallen out with the Manchester United legend in the past still hold him in the highest regard – Paul McGrath and Ruud van Nistelrooy being two examples.

Throughout his remarkable managerial career, Fergie has consistently proven himself to be two things: 1) Hard working, 2) a winner.

Do you know how many last-minute goals United scored during the Scot’s time?

166.

He doesn’t credit himself with that. He credits the players’ characters. They never gave in. They kept banging at the door.

Those qualities continue to shine in Fergie’s former players, as seen by Salford City’s rise up the English football ladder and the Class of ’92 continuing to do their part to improve the club’s fortunes.

In recent years, Salford have enjoyed two promotions up to the National League North and they’re now just two more promotions away from reaching the Football League.

In a further sign of progress, the club has also renamed their ground to the Peninsula Stadium after agreeing on a naming-rights deal with Salford-based company Peninsula. To mark this occasion, they asked Sir Alex Ferguson to deliver the speech and he didn’t disappoint.

“Forget ability, to achieve in life you need something extra inside you. A dynamo that says, ‘I’m going somewhere’.

“These kids that arrived in Manchester United (Class of ’92) when they were 14 years of age, that’s what they had. They wanted to go somewhere,” he said.

During his 26 years with Manchester United, Ferguson won 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups and two UEFA Champions League titles. On that note, it’s fair to say that he knows what’s needed to be successful and even Leicester City’s Harry Maguire approved of this message.

“Nobody comes to your door, bangs your door and gives you money. Believe me! You have to go outside that bloody door and earn it!

“Working hard is definitely a talent. Believe me. And if you work hard all your life, that’s an amazing thing,” he said.

Manchester United fans will love the part of his speech where he talks about building the club “up from the foundation” while the anecdote about an MP protesting Ferguson’s decision to field a ‘weakened’ side in that famous League Cup match against Port Vale should give you a laugh.

This is great.

🎥 Sir Alex Ferguson officially opened #ThePeninsulaStadium yesterday!

Watch his full speech here.. pic.twitter.com/t1SZguhDXA

— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) October 20, 2017