In England, it's a rare thing to see a player smoking but, all in all, I prefer that to an alcoholic. The relationship with alcohol is a real problem in English football and, in the short term, it's much more harmful to a sportsman. It weakens the body, which becomes more susceptible to injury.
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Quotes by Alex Ferguson
Explore 23 verified and sourced quotes attributed to Alex Ferguson. Open any quote for its dedicated page, source details and related topics.
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Selected quotes by Alex Ferguson
I'm going to tell you the story about the geese which fly 5,000 miles from Canada to France. They fly in V-formation but the second ones don't fly. They're the subs for the first ones. And then the second ones take over - so it's teamwork.
Myths grow all the time. If I was to listen to the number of times I've thrown teacups then we've gone through some crockery in this place. It's completely exaggerated, but I don't like people arguing back with me.
As long as there are games to play it is not over.
The work of a team should always embrace a great player but the great player must always work.
Well, football is a hard game; there's no denying it. It's a game that can bring out the worst in you, at times.
You are responsible to each other because when you win a game of football, you only need eight players to perform well.
I've never played for a draw in my life.
If my parents were still alive, they would be very proud. They gave me a good start in life, the values that have driven me, and the confidence to believe in myself.
I do believe in fate.
I tell the players that the bus is moving. This club has to progress. And the bus wouldn't wait for them. I tell them to get on board.
Sometimes in football you have to hold your hand up and say, yeah, they're better than us.
You can't applaud a referee.
Sometimes you're not sure about a player. Sometimes you doubt. Sometimes you have to guess. Sometimes... you just know.
If I have my health I can carry on. There will be a point when I do quit but I have absolutely no idea when that is.
If we can play like that every week we'll get some level of consistency.
Her Majesty said she hoped I would have time for my horses - I own two and have shares in four.
I don't like losing but I've mellowed. I maybe have a short fuse but it goes away quicker now.
The culmination of three trophies was the pinnacle of my career and it has been rewarded with a knighthood.
Football management is such a pressurised thing - horseracing is a release. I'm also learning to play the piano - I'm quite determined - it's another release from the pressure of my job.
I feel sympathy for the working class lad. I've always championed about ticket prices and try to equate that to people's salaries.
The time I have already spent at Harvard has been a stimulating experience, and I look forward to developing my relationship and activities with the students, faculty and friends of the Harvard Business School community.
There are members of the London press who seek to antagonise me, deliberately.
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