Former Manchester United Manager Alex Ferguson has claimed that he used the famous 'hairdryer' only six times during his time at Old Trafford.
Over his 27 years at the club, Fergie had a reputation for having a not so quiet word with players when he felt they weren't performing. But the Scot now claims that most of his reputation was blown out of proportion, speaking at the World Business Forum in Milan Ferguson, as reported by The Sun, said:
There was a lot of myth about it. It happened about half a dozen times in 27 years and the players will tell you that.
The problem for me was if a player answered me back, I headed towards them. That was my problem.
Jock Stein always said to me, 'Leave it until Monday to talk to them,' but I said I couldn't wait until Monday.
So, on a Saturday after the game, I told them exactly how I felt, because we had trained at a level all week that I expected to win every game.
I told them exactly the truth and the truth works. All the players understood that and it was never held against me. Then the next day it is pushed aside and I'm prepared to win again. I never ruled by fear.
Name a Manchester United team that played with fear. My job was to get a positive attitude into that team, for them to express themselves, never give in and enjoy playing for the club. That is sacrosanct.
This is a slightly different opinion to former Manchester United players, let's not forget Alex Ferguson is the man who famously kicked a boot at David Beckham and Wayne Rooney in his book described the 'Hairdryer':
There’s nothing worse than getting the “hairdryer” from Sir Alex.
When it happens, the manager stands in the middle of the room and loses it at me. He gets right up in my face and shouts.
It feels like I’ve put my head in front of a BaByliss Turbo Power 2200. It’s horrible.
Check out this video of Ferguson calming encouraging former United player Johnny Evans:
You would have to wonder how poor Luke Shaw would react to that?
Another classic from Ferguson came in his assessment of then former player Paul Ince before United clashed wth rivals Liverpool. Although no players are on the receiving end of the Hairdryer this is Ferguson gold.
Picture credit; David Maher / SPORTSFILE
