But to his players, he remains more of a father figure: Kind, caring and encouraging — no matter who you are.
Just ask Rafael da Silva. The Brazilian right-back has broken into Manchester United’s first team this season to great effect and is set to face Stoke today.
He played in the weekend’s World Club Cup final triumph over Ecuador’s LDU Quito and is hungry for more success.
But the teenager admitted he would never have done that without the paternal care of the man who everyone at United calls “gaffer”.
At 19 and far from home, Rafael and his left-back brother Fabio have been able to look at the Old Trafford chief as more than just their boss.
Rafael said: “Sir Alex Ferguson is like a father for me. Off the pitch, he is a great and lovely man.
“He helps me out a lot in Manchester. He knows perfectly how to deal with youngsters and when to bring them to the first team. He doesn’t talk much but when he talks, he says only right things.
“He knows when he needs to be supportive and explain ‘look, you can’t do that now’.
“And he knows how to be really tough when the team is not playing well.”
But the boss is not the only help the young hopeful has had since signing for United from Brazilian side Fluminense two years ago.
Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo speaks the same language and has been a great help and inspiration.
Rafael revealed: “I will never forget the first training session with Cristiano Ronaldo. I think it was my third trip to Manchester. I was 16 and we were going to play a game in Belgium. I scored in that game.
“Ronaldo is a sensational person. Very humble and he jokes with us all the time and is nothing like his public superstar image.”
Rafael has burst on to the scene in the absence of the injured Gary Neville.
He even scored his first goal for the Premier League champions in their 2-1 defeat by Arsenal at the Emirates last month.
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And if he and Fabio progress the way Ferguson expects, they will become the first brothers to play for United since the Gary and Phil Neville partnership was broken by the latter’s move to Everton in 2005.
It is an ambition which both lads share and one which they are trying to help each other to achieve.
Rafael said: “As my brother and I play full-back, one knows when the other is not doing the right thing.
“We are very demanding towards each other.
“Yes, one day our paths might be separated. But on the other hand, maybe one day we can play together for Brazil as well as for United. It is my dream to be in the Brazil national team.”
English football’s boast of being the best in the world is supported by Rafael.
Even though one part of life in England the young Brazilians do not enjoy is the nightlife — something which no doubt pleases Fergie!
Rafael said: “English football is the best right now.
“It was easy to adapt, because I’ve always enjoyed physical football. I am fast, I like to run and I like to pass the ball quickly. In life we need objectives and I want to be a starter in this team.
“You can't be worried about who is playing, history or whatever. I just want to play ... always.
“A player’s career ends early but, more recently, it has been starting earlier and earlier.
“I am so young and have accomplished lots of dreams already.
“I don’t like losing. Absolutely nothing. In life, I enter every competition, be it a video game or a football match, to win.
“Off the pitch, my brother and I are used to staying at home. And to be honest, for anyone who likes going out, Manchester must be horrible.
“But that’s fine. We like to stay home!”
‘Father’ Fergie must be so proud.(thesun)
26 Desember, 2008
Rafael: Fergie is a lovely man
21 Desember, 2008
AC Milan unveil Beckham
The ex-England skipper was unveiled to the world's media - watched by wife Victoria - after joining on loan from LA Galaxy until March 9.
AC vice-president Adriano Galliani claimed: "The doors will be open for all the periods he wants to come back and maybe who knows even remain in Milan.”
Becks uttered a few words in Italian - and then claimed it was a "dream" to join Milan after Three Lions boss Fabio Capello urged him to find a top club.
The former Manchester United midfielder, 33, said: “You have to excuse my Italian. I’m still learning.
"Buona sera, thanks from my heart, it’s an honour. I love Italy and I’m very happy to be here.
"I’m very happy to be here it’s a great honour. I’ve been very lucky to play for some of the biggest clubs in the world.
"I’m very honoured with this chance and I’m going to enjoy myself.
"It’s going to be great fun and I hope to give everything like I’ve always done in my career.
"Thank you. Grazie mille.”
Beckham, who will wear Milan's No 32, admitted that a loan move was the only way to save his international career because of Major League Soccer's lengthy close-season break .
He added: "I need to keep myself fit and keep playing during the season. With five months off, I can’t do that.
"I was grateful to be given this opportunity. I wouldn’t take it if I didn’t think I could help the team and club. That’s what I came here to do.
"It’s not about anything else than the football."
Becks admitted Capello's views were the deciding factor.
He said: “I have to be playing and well and be fit.
"It’s great he’s given me a chance with England. It looked in doubt quite a few times.
Fabio was the person that I respect greatly in the game.
"When I decided to go on loan I asked his advice.
“I said I wanted to play in Italy and Milan but he said the best thing for you is to play football at the highest level wherever that is, England or Spain.
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"If a player is not at the top level, to play at international level is impossible.
"I’ve done it for a few months but what is great about Capello is, wherever you're playing, if you’re playing well he’ll give you a chance to play."
Becks added: "Everybody knows how much it means to me playing for my country. Whether it’s five or 10 minutes I’ll always be there for my country."
"I’ve got 107 caps when I didn’t think I would get 96. I hope it continues and I’m going to do everything to make it continue."
But the ex-Real Madrid ace played down Milan's open-door message.
Becks said: "I’m a Galaxy player and will go back there.
"I will be playing as well as I can to keep being selected and that’s all I can do.
"It will be tough to leave the club, I’ve left two of the biggest clubs in the world now. But I’m going to enjoy being here."
The 150 journalists who packed in to hear Beckham outnumbered fans waiting outside in the freezing cold by five to one.
But Galliani hopes Becks will soon become an idol.
He said: “After a flirting period that lasted since the summer of 2007 we finally got David." (thsun)
17 November, 2008
Transfers - November 2008
The transfer window is now closed for permanent signings and will reopen on 1 January 2009.
In the Football League, once seven days have passed since the closing of the summer transfer window on 1 September, loan deals are permitted.
However, in exceptional circumstances, clubs can apply for special dispensation to the Premier League or Football League outside these times - for instance, if they had no goalkeepers available.
In addition, players who are unattached free agents, and were not registered with a club when the transfer window closed on 1 September, are able to join new clubs.
The transfer window does not apply to clubs below Blue Square Premier level.
Meanwhile, if an out-of-contract player under 24 (who has been offered a new deal but has turned it down) moves clubs within the same country, then his "old" club are entitled to compensation. If the two clubs cannot agree a fee, then it will be determined by a tribunal.
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16 November 2008
Lee Hendrie [Sheffield United-Blackpool] Loan
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14 November 2008
Darren Byfield [Doncaster - Oldham] Loan
Stuart Green [Blackpool - Crewe] Loan
Michael Liddle [Sunderland - Carlisle] Loan
Josh Low [Cheltenham - Forest Green] Loan
Mark Magee [Bristol City - Stafford Rangers] Loan
Romone Rose [QPR - Histon] Loan
Jamie White [Southampton - Shrewsbury] Loan
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13 November 2008
onathan Forte [Scunthorpe - Notts County] Loan
Lee Hills [Crystal Palace - Colchester] Loan
Bondz N'Gala [West Ham - MK Dons] Loan
Abu Ogogo [Arsenal - Barnet] Loan
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11 November 2008
Danny Carlton [Carlisle - Morecambe] Loan
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10 November 2008
Darren Ambrose [Charlton - Ipswich] Loan
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7 November 2008
Luke Boden [Sheffield Wednesday - Rushden & Diamonds] Loan
Nat Brown [Wrexham - Macclesfield] Loan
Simon Whaley [Preston - Barnsley] Loan
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5 November 2008
Chris Arthur [QPR - Kettering] Loan
Ryan Burge [unattached - Barnet]
Efe Echanomi [Tiptree United - Grays] Non-contract
Gifton Noel-Williams [Millwall - Yeovil] Loan
Stephen O'Halloran [Aston Villa - Swansea] Loan
Adam Proudlock [Darlington - Grimsby] Loan
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4 November 2008
Nicholas Bignall [Reading - Northampton] Loan
Andre McCollin [Yeovil - Grays] Loan
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3 November 2008
Phil Gulliver [Rushden - Corby Town] Undisclosed
Tony McMahon [Middlesbrough - Sheffield Wednesday] Loan
Sam Williams [Aston Villa - Colchester] Loan
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1 November 2008
Bruce Dyer [unattached - York]
14 November, 2008
Drogba faces police and FA probes
The Chelsea striker apologised for his actions which followed Wednesday's goal goal but could still be in trouble.
In a statement on Chelsea's website, Drogba said: "I tried to celebrate the goal and I received some things at me.
"The big mistake I did was to throw it back so if someone was hurt I just want to apologise for it."
There were no reports of any spectators being injured. However, the Metropolitan Police confirmed on Thursday that officers are looking into the incident.
A spokesman said: "An inquiry is being conducted by the Football Unit at Fulham police station. No-one has been arrested."
The incident happened after the Ivory Coast forward put the Blues ahead in the 27th minute of the match, which marked his return from injury.
Drogba, 30, made a single-finger gesture before throwing a coin back into the Burnley section of the crowd.
He said: "This is not something I should show in a football match.
"It was an incident in the heat of the moment and I regret it. It was just a mistake and nothing more."
A Chelsea spokesman said: "We will deal with this in the usual way. We are aware there is an incident. But we will not discuss it further until we have seen the referee's report."
Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari said: "I have not spoken with Didier about any problem. The referee gave him a yellow card but I did not see what happened."
Burnley manager Owen Coyle said he did not see the incident but the club have said they will investigate the matter.
"Burnley Football Club is proud of the 6,100 supporters who made the trip to Stamford Bridge and offered magnificent vocal backing," the club said in a statement.
"However, the club does not condone any misbehaviour from supporters and we will gladly co-operate with any inquiry into the incident, either from the FA or Chelsea Football Club."
It was part of a miserable night for Premier League leaders Chelsea, who suffered a surprise exit 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw.
The FA may now decide to take action after examining referee Keith Stroud's report.
In 2002, Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher was sent off in an FA Cup tie against Arsenal at Highbury after throwing a coin back into the crowd. He received a mandatory three-match ban.
And Gordon Taylor, the chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association, said a similar punishment should be handed out to Drogba.
"It's there for all to see, he's done something that's against the rules required of players, and a similar situation resulted in a three-match ban for Carragher," he said.
"So it would be very difficult to avoid an accusation that
FA) are inconsistent if they don't follow that line."
Taylor added: "In fairness to the lad, he knows he's done wrong, he apologised immediately after the game, but this happened in the heat of the moment and unfortunately there will be consequences now."
Carragher was also interviewed by police but no further action was taken. However, he was fined by Liverpool and warned about his future conduct.
Meanwhile, former Chelsea forward and current West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola has jumped to the defence of Drogba.
"If he has reacted then maybe he has been insulted and that is bad for football," said Zola.
"The crowd has to respect the players as much as the players have to respect the crowd.
"From what I know of him, he is a fair and honest player who gives everything on the pitch.
"You have to understand we are human beings and when you are playing an important match you can lose your composure when you are under pressure."
Zola added: "It is not easy, you are walking on the edge all the time but the secret is to not give these moments too much importance.
"I have come close to reacting a couple of times, it is not easy to control when you are getting abuse so it is understandable." (bbc)
