Manchester United’s recent actions toward Sir Alex Ferguson have sparked controversy.
Reports suggest that the legendary manager and other senior figures have been asked to stay out of the players' dressing room on match days.
This move comes as part of a broader shift within the club, which has seen Ferguson’s £2.6 million-a-year ambassadorial role terminated as part of cost-cutting measures.
While Ferguson's reaction to the termination was reportedly "amicable," the latest development has drawn criticism from football circles.
🚨 INEOS have decided to cut Sir Alex Ferguson’s multi-million-pound ambassadorial contract with Manchester United, reports @AdamCrafton_ on @TheAthleticFC.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 15, 2024
Ferguson will remain a non-executive director at the club, still obviously welcome to attend Man United games. pic.twitter.com/4uOjJQZqwE
According to MailOnline via Metro, the decision isn't an outright ban but rather a "collective understanding" regarding access to the dressing room.
Historically, influential figures like directors and former players have been welcomed into the inner sanctum, even after Ferguson's retirement.
However, it appears that this tradition is being phased out as United undergoes significant changes under the leadership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS group.
What does Alex Ferguson do now?
Despite these adjustments, Ferguson remains welcome at Old Trafford to attend matches, but the decision to curtail his involvement in matchday interactions has been seen by many as a departure from the club’s history.
Club icons like Rio Ferdinand and Eric Cantona have voiced their displeasure, with Cantona describing the move as "a lack of respect" and "totally scandalous", per Goal.
🚨 Eric Cantona: “Sir Alex Ferguson should be able to do anything he wants at Man United until the day he dies”.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 15, 2024
“Such a lack of respect. It's totally scandalous. Sir Alex Ferguson will be my boss forever. And I throw them all in a big bag of sh*t”. pic.twitter.com/FVH4qq3bzD
As United continues to navigate its restructuring under new ownership, these decisions reflect the club's attempt to modernise its operations, but they also risk alienating a section of the fanbase and those who have been integral to its success.
Whether this will impact the team’s performance on the pitch remains to be seen, but the respect for tradition and the treatment of legends like Ferguson will undoubtedly remain a talking point for fans and pundits alike.
