Frightened Ferguson “lost his voice” after brain haemorrhage and had big worries
Sir Alex Ferguson was hesitant to give one-on-one interviews during his time as a manager, but the Manchester United legend has been more forthcoming in recent times.
Three years after undergoing emergency surgery for a brain haemorrhage on May 5, 2018, the former Scotland and Aberdeen boss has said he feared he’d lost his voice and memory following the ordeal.
That anguish play a key role in Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In, an upcoming documentary directed by the 79-year-old’s son, Jason, which will be released on May 27.
Ferguson told The Guardian about his immediate concerns following the operation, describing in detail the fright he faced on the road to recovery: “That was a big worry for me.
“It happened after the operation when I lost my voice. That was the most frightening part.
“I knew I was alive but, on my own, I started thinking: ‘I wonder if they’re telling me the truth?’ The operation was a success but you’re in that loneliness. It can be frightening.”
The football fanbase was united in wishing Ferguson a fast recovery after it came to light that the veteran—who led the Red Devils to a record 13 Premier League titles—had been hospitalised.
Ferguson also won two Champions League crowns and five FA Cups over the course of a 27-year career at Old Trafford, often regarded as the greatest coach of all time.
With a trophy cabinet to rival any other in the sport, the Scot might be forgiven forgetting some of his accolades, but his memory has always been of chief importance.
Never Give In is described as “a moving story about the extraordinary power of memory,” something that was as important to Ferguson during his career as it has become in retirement.
Following his 2018 operation, he described his emotions at the time: “I hope there’s nothing wrong with my memory. There had better be nothing wrong with my memory.”
He added: “As a manager I depended on my memory. You see games today where some managers take notes during the match. I never did that.
“I always depended on my memory and when I went to the dressing room that was very powerful for me. I can’t understand why a manager would take notes during the game. Put your head down to write and you miss a goal?”
Ferguson won the last of his 13 Premier League titles in 2013 before announcing his retirement, and United have yet to reclaim their place atop the English pile since then.
The tactician has been sighted back at his former stomping ground in recent months, with former protege Ole Gunnar Solskjaer now holding the reins of his old team.
Rivals Manchester City are on the verge of winning their third Premier League trophy in four seasons, needing just one more win to secure the crown.
With the roles reversed since he left the club eight years ago, memories of Ferguson’s glittering time as United boss will become all the more valuable to those at the Theatre of Dreams.
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