Ferguson marks quarter century at Man United

Alex Ferguson reaches 25 years in charge of Manchester United on Sunday, embarking upon his second quarter century with the same vigour that he began the first.

Ferguson's 27 major titles with United make him the most successful manager in British football history, but it is his ability to adapt and willingness to change his approach to the game that make him truly remarkable.

The 69-year-old Ferguson's seemingly contradictory combination of iron will and tactical flexibility has led United great Bobby Charlton to call him Òa genius'.

Already the longest serving manager in United history, Ferguson reaches the landmark the day after his team hosts Sunderland in the Premier League in his 1,409th match in charge.

Ferguson arrived at Old Trafford in November 1986 with the grand ambition of unseating Liverpool as the dominant force in English football - knocking them off their perch, as Ferguson called it.

It was a huge task: Liverpool had just become the first side to win the league and cup double since 1971 and counted 16 league titles to UnitedÕs meagre seven.

But the Scottish manager has brought United an unmatched list of modern honours including 12 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, five FA Cups and a FIFA Club World Cup.

record run

Last season's Premier League title took United to 19 English championships, finally inching past Liverpool's record 18.

"It is a bit of a fairytale to last so long," the 69-year-old Ferguson said yesterday. "It has been a fantastic spell for me. It is something you don't think is going to happen and I appreciate that."

It is almost impossible to imagine any other coach with the ability to harness talents - and temperaments - as varied as David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Eric Cantona, Bryan Robson, Wayne Rooney, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Maybe the mercurial Jose Mourinho could have managed it, but the Real Madrid coach has never stayed longer than 35 months with a club and his history of bust-ups and fall-outs seems to preclude him ever staying put for too long.

While Mourinho has no problem walking away from an unhappy situation, Ferguson has made sure it is always the other party in the argument who has to make way. Beckham, Van Nistelrooy and Roy Keane have all learned that lesson the hard way.

Only once did Ferguson waver, declaring his intention to retire at the end of the 2001-02 season.

"I will continue as long as I feel healthy enough to do it," Ferguson said yesterday.

When Ferguson took charge at Old Trafford on November 6, 1986, there was no Champions League. The Premier League and its influx of television cash were six years away, fans stood rather than sat at games, goalkeepers were still allowed to pick up back passes and the age of player power ushered in by the Bosman ruling had not even been conceived.

No manager in British football history has survived through so many major changes, let alone flourished amid such upheaval.

British football will never see another manager like him.