International Football
FOOTBALL WORLD UNITES IN WISHING SIR ALEX FERGUSON WELL
Messages of support poured in for Alex Ferguson after the legendary former Manchester United manager was left fighting for his life following emergency surgery for a brain haemorrhage on Saturday.
According to AFP, news of his operation was made public by his old club, with a United statement cautiously optimistic about the prospects for the 76-year-old, the most successful manager in British football history.
“Sir Alex Ferguson has undergone emergency surgery today for a brain haemorrhage,” the statement said.
“The procedure has gone very well but he needs a period of intensive care to optimise his recovery. His family request privacy in this matter.”
According to the Daily Mail, an ambulance was called to the Scot’s home in Cheadle, near Manchester, in northwest England at 9:00 am local time (0800 GMT) on Saturday
Concerns for Ferguson’s health started to mount when it was announced his son, Darren, the manager of English third tier club Doncaster, would miss his side’s League One match against Wigan on Saturday because of “family reasons”.
“It is tragic. I am going to find out how he is as soon as I possibly can,” said Everton manager Sam Allardyce, a longstanding friend of Ferguson’s, after his side’s 1-1 Premier League draw at home to Southampton.
“Obviously I knew it was extremely serious when I knew his son Darren didn’t attend his own game at Doncaster today,” the former England boss added. “I hope he has a full recovery.”
Southampton manager Mark Hughes, who made his name in football as a United striker during the early years of Ferguson’s time at Old Trafford, said: “I only just got a little whisper earlier on. I was hoping it wasn’t true. I wish him all the best.”
David Beckham, perhaps the most high-profile player Ferguson managed at Old Trafford, was among several United players past and present who took to social media to offer their support to the ‘boss’.
On Instagram, with a picture of him as a youngster alongside Ferguson, Beckham wrote: “Keep fighting Boss… Sending prayers and love to Cathy and the whole family x @manchesterunited.”
Former United striker Wayne Rooney said on Twitter: “Get well soon Boss. Thoughts with all the family at this sad time. #AlexFerguson.”
There was a particularly heartfelt message from Edwin van der Sar and his wife, Annemarie.
Van der Sar who was United’s goalkeeper when Annemarie, suffered a brain haemorrhage in 2009 from which she has since recovered.
“Devastated about the news about Sir Alex and knowing all too well about the situation ourselves. Stay strong and hope together with everyone you recover. Edwin & Annemarie,” said the couple’s Twitter post.
Michael Carrick, a current United midfielder, said he was “absolutely devastated”.
He added: “All my thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. Be strong Boss.”
The sympathy extended beyond those with United connections, with Vincent Kompany, the captain of recently crowned English champions Manchester City, summing up the mood of many messages from rival clubs when he said: “Hang in there Sir Alex. Thoughts are with the family and close ones.”
Away from football, Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland, tweeted: “My thoughts are with Alex Ferguson and his family – wishing him a full and speedy recovery.”
Ferguson retired five years ago when he stepped down as United manager, having won a staggering 38 major trophies in just over 26 years in charge, including 13 Premier League titles and two European Champions League triumphs during his time at Old Trafford.
He was back at United’s home ground last week to present a commemorative vase to old rival Arsene Wenger, who steps down as Arsenal manager at the end of the season.
Ferguson had planned to retire at the end of the 2001/02 campaign but changed his mind after speaking to his wife Cathy and their family.
But the death of his wife’s twin sister in 2012 provided Ferguson with what he later wrote was a “watershed moment.
“I felt that, after all those years during which Cathy had put me first, it was time that I took care of her needs,” he explained.
Prior to arriving at Old Trafford, Ferguson, enjoyed considerable success as manager of Aberdeen, helping interrupt Glasgow giants Celtic and Rangers’ Old Firm dominance of Scottish football.
Ferguson, a former Rangers striker, won three Scottish championships, four Scottish Cups and the 1983 European Cup Winners’ Cup in charge of the Dons.
It was a similar story at Old Trafford, where his United teams ended Liverpool’s dominance of the domestic game, with the highlight of Ferguson’s time in charge a 1999 treble of Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup titles all in the one season.
Well-travelled Portuguese coach Paulo Duarte has been named as Guinea’s new coach, less than a month before their next round of World Cup qualifiers.
Duarte, 56, has twice previously coached Burkina Faso and taken charge of Gabon and Togo, while also coaching at clubs in Portugal, France, Tunisia, Angola and Saudi Arabia.
Guinea’s football federation gave no contract details when they made the announcement on Monday, but said they would be looking for Duarte to “restructure their national team”.
Guinea trail leaders Algeria by eight points in their World Cup qualifying group with four games remaining, leaving them with only a slim chance of qualification.
They play Somalia away on September 5 and then Algeria at home on September 8 in their next two qualifiers although a stadium ban means Guinea have moved their home game to Casablanca, Morocco.
-Reuters
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Veteran coach Louis van Gaal says he has been cured of cancer and is keen for a return to the higher levels of the game.
The 73-year-old announced three years ago that he was suffering from prostate cancer, but told a Dutch television talk show, “I’m no longer bothered by cancer.”
When he announced his illness, Van Gaal was the coach of the Dutch national team, but he has not worked since the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
“Two years ago, I had a few operations. It was all bad then. But it all worked out in the end. I have check-ups every few months, and that’s going well. I’m getting fitter and fitter,” he said.
Van Gaal, whose career has included stints at Ajax Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester United, reiterated a lack of interest in returning to club management but said becoming the national coach of a top-tier country could tempt him back.
He now serves as a special advisor to Ajax.
-Reuters
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In a compelling twist of football destiny, Davide Ancelotti is stepping into his own spotlight as he begins his first head coaching role at Brazilian club Botafogo—just months after parting ways with his legendary father, Carlo Ancelotti, at Real Madrid.
The 35-year-old has been appointed as Botafogo’s new manager, the club announced on Tuesday, following the sacking of Renato Paiva. Davide, who has spent the last decade working alongside his father at some of Europe’s top clubs—including Bayern Munich, Napoli, Everton, and Real Madrid—has signed a one-year deal with the Rio-based team.
This marks a significant milestone for the younger Ancelotti, whose career has long been shaped by his father’s influence, but who now faces the challenge of carving his own identity on the touchline.
The move comes shortly after both father and son departed Real Madrid at the end of last season, with Carlo taking over the Brazilian national team. Now, in a poetic alignment, father and son find themselves on different paths within Brazilian football—one leading the Seleção, the other steering the fortunes of a storied domestic club.
Botafogo’s decision to appoint Davide follows a controversial parting with Paiva, who was dismissed just days after their exit from the Club World Cup. Though he oversaw a stunning win over Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain, a 1-0 extra-time loss to Palmeiras in the round of 16 proved to be his final act after just four months in charge.
As Davide Ancelotti begins this new chapter, all eyes will be on whether the son of one of football’s most decorated managers can step out from his father’s shadow—and perhaps, in time, build a legacy of his own.
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