- Jan 18, 2011
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What do many people miss about Ferguson is that he understood this about himself. When 442 became redundant, he brought in young smart coaches and let them dictate the tactics, while he stepped back to manage. This was his genius. For all his bluster he was relatively humble about his influence. That kept this fresh, and when the game moved on, he just got a new no2 to bed in the updated ways.It would be interesting to see if a manager like Ferguson would make it in the modern game. Maybe Ferguson would have through sheer force of his personality. But most of the Premier League managers now have a distinct footballing philosophy from Klopp to Pep to Ange to Arteta to Poch, De Zerbi etc. There are not many I can think of who are in the mould of Ferguson or even Redknapp.
Poch never got this, though I think he fancies himself a Fergie. However he surrounds himself with his stale mates and doesn't challenge himself.
Ange, although he has a clearer system, loves to work with new people, learn new things. Beyond playing to win and attacking I think he'd happily adapt his system if someone suggested something that did those two things better.
Management is a high wire act of inspiring confidence and motivating people, while being humble and open minded to better ways. Often managers good at the latter do it in a way that undermines the former.