The legendary Red Devils coach: The road to success

Chapter 53 The Ugly Duckling

"Ferguson has always insisted on the idea of ​​teaching everyone. He certainly likes talented children, but he also always gives opportunities to ordinary young players, and always actively encourages and helps them. Regardless of whether these ugly ducklings can eventually become dazzling swans, Ferguson has devoted a lot of effort to them. This contains the precious qualities of a coach and also shines with the brilliance of humanity."

--Inscription

In England, there are many young people who are interested in playing football, but most of them are just ordinary enthusiasts, and few have outstanding talents. Not to mention becoming a main player in the Premier League giants or a world-famous star, it is already very difficult to gain a foothold in a professional club.

This phenomenon is not limited to English football, but also applies to the real world. Many football fans may insist on training on their own while recommending themselves to various clubs to look for opportunities. As for the clubs, they generally don't pay much attention to those players who recommend themselves. The attitude of the top league clubs is surprisingly consistent. They don't believe that there are talents in the world that have not been discovered. Almost all of them are dismissed directly and will not even give them a chance to try out.

Ferguson is different.

Ferguson believes that football, as a sport that influences the world, should have an unshirkable obligation to help young people grow. He hopes that more and more people will love football and believe that they can succeed through their own efforts. He has always insisted that it is possible to make ordinary children receive professional guidance, and the Red Devils Club has the responsibility to do this.

This concept is the embodiment of football giving back to the community.

Ferguson always thinks of his childhood experiences and how difficult it was to get opportunities. He has always believed that football is meaningful to children, families and communities.

Ferguson would ask the coaching staff to give self-recommended players the opportunity to train, and open up the Red Devils' community football program to the public. Even though the English Football Association later restricted clubs and formulated selection regulations, allowing only young players from the club's surrounding areas and abroad to be selected into the club, which shackled the youth training of major clubs, Ferguson still tried his best to popularize football and improve the football level of young people.

Su Maozhen and Wu Chongwen from the Chinese Youth Team were given the opportunity to try out for the Red Devils, which is also part of the Red Devils' football plan. Because Ferguson focuses on the community, countless young players receive guidance at the Red Devils training base every year. These young players may not necessarily become talented, and their final football level is different. Many of them find it difficult to join a professional club, let alone reach the Red Devils' standards, but their trials at the Red Devils are destined to be a rare experience and a precious memory.

Ferguson's enthusiasm and kindness always make them feel warm.

Gary Neville remembers clearly that after Ferguson took over as the Red Devils coach, the training base became extremely lively. Ferguson's office was also crowded with people, and the atmosphere became very harmonious. "Parents brought their children to ask to join the Red Devils, and some even school coaches brought the entire team in. I was often arranged to take them to visit the Red Devils training base, which sometimes made me feel like they were just tourists."

Gary said: "No matter what I think, the boss (Ferguson) is very warm and polite to everyone, and tries his best to meet their requirements for participating in the Red Devils training camp selection competition."

"Most of these kids will have a hard time staying here. They will soon see what the real Red Devils standard is. It's not a spring outing or a stage performance." Gary Neville recalled those days and couldn't help but smile. "They thought the boss's invitation was a contract and they really thought the Red Devils training camp was easy. In fact, it's not the case at all."

It is difficult to join the Red Devils. Professional football is a pyramid structure, and the Red Devils are at the top. The selection standards of the Red Devils are very high, and it is difficult for young people to stay without excellent talents. Many parents and young players actually understand these principles. They are very happy to have participated in the Red Devils' selection or teaching matches, to receive guidance from Ferguson's team, and even to have the opportunity to listen to the words and deeds of the Red Devils' big stars. If they also get encouragement from Ferguson, it will be enough to be proud of. Some of them have strengthened their confidence in devoting themselves to football, some have become enlightened and grown rapidly, and some have become die-hard fans of the Red Devils and Ferguson.

Just like Max Lonsdale.

Max Lonsdale was an 18-year-old spirited young man. He went straight to Ferguson's house and offered himself. He actually met Ferguson at the door without any appointment. Not only that, he actually received encouragement and help from Ferguson.

Originally, Lonsdale went to the Red Devils base to register and left his video DVD. However, the Red Devils PR department did not respond to him in time. Lonsdale thought that the Red Devils had overlooked his talent, but he was obviously wrong. The Red Devils did study him, and the reserve team coach Joyce thought that Lonsdale did not meet the Red Devils' standards, so he did not notify him to come for a trial.

Lonsdale decided not to negotiate with the Red Devils' staff and instead went straight to Ferguson.

In the West, it is considered very impolite to go to someone's door without an appointment. Lonsdale later explained his impulse, saying: "I had tried out for some teams before, but none of them succeeded. I was rejected by Maggsfield, who said they were short of money, but I thought it was just a lie. They just wanted big, strong players who could run around for 90 minutes, but I like to pass the ball and dribble past people. I sent my videos to other clubs, but there was no response. I felt that I could play at a higher level, so I couldn't help but think of the Red Devils, 'Okay, I want to prove myself to the Red Devils.' The Red Devils also ignored my letter, so I thought of going directly to Ferguson. Don't ask me what I was thinking at the time, I don't know. I am usually very shy, but something in my heart was very persistent. Football is my dream. I felt that I should go to Ferguson to talk, and I think I should listen to the instructions of my heart."

Lonsdale excitedly found Ferguson's home address, but it was not easy to find Ferguson at home. Lonsdale said, "I went there twice, but they were on vacation. The third time I was lucky. Ferguson's wife came to open the door. I was so nervous that I just asked, 'Hello, is Alex at home?' She seemed quite surprised. When I said I wanted to show Sir Alex my resume and video, her expression was as if she had discovered a new world. She seemed to have a good impression of me."

Ferguson was still not at home, so Mrs. Ferguson asked Lonsdale to come back at 5pm the next day.

Lonsdale said, "I was so nervous that I couldn't sleep the night before. When I arrived at his door the next day, I still couldn't control myself. My legs were shaking. To be honest, I didn't know if I could succeed. I could only encourage myself desperately and tell myself not to back down at the last minute."

When Lonsdale came again, Ferguson opened the door for him. Lonsdale said: "I will never forget the moment when Sir Alex Ferguson was standing at the door. I had never been so nervous before, but he was gentle and kind. We talked for 15 minutes, but I can hardly recall the conversation. I was so nervous that I messed up all the prepared remarks. The first thing he said to me was, 'You must be very brave to dare to do this, and I respect you for that.' I boldly told him that I could play at the highest level. He started asking me my age and whether I had ever been injured. Obviously he was a little surprised by my answer."

Lonsdale broke the rules, but Ferguson found it amusing and thought the kid was very brave.

Ferguson asked Warren Joyce to call Lonsdale to come for a two-week trial. Lonsdale's voice was shaking when he answered the phone. Warren Joyce told him to believe in himself and not to think he was powerless against world-class players. "Be yourself and seize the opportunity. This is what Coach Ferguson said!"

Lonsdale eventually spent more than four weeks on trial with the Red Devils and played five reserve team games. The training programs he received at the Red Devils were something he had never seen before in his life, including physical fitness, skills, teamwork, and group matches. He had to complete each program like a Red Devils player and undergo tests and assessments. Lonsdale was extremely excited. He was able to train with Fletcher, Welbeck, Cleverley, and Rooney, to see Giggs and Scholes in person, and to listen to Ferguson's on-site teachings in person. Lonsdale felt so happy.

Lonsdale cherished his trial with the Red Devils so much that he filmed the experience in a video. He said: "My training with the Red Devils was very formal, and I also participated in their reserve team games. The video of my reserve team games has been viewed more than 15 times, and many Red Devils fans can see it. They wish me such an opportunity and are paying attention to my performance."

Lonsdale said: "Everything was like a dream. I thought that experience was unreal for a long time. I trained with so many Red Devils star players. I drove my Fiesta away from Nani's Lamborghini in the Carrington parking lot. I saw the equipment there for the first time: they have sports scientists to check your body fat, diet and heart rate. You wear a monitoring belt during training and take readings after training. I will always remember the kitchen in Carrington. The food there is also of high quality. They not only provide chicken and beef, but also various meats and other delicacies, and there are many ingredients that are not seen in the world."

Lonsdale's trial ended, and the Red Devils did not offer him a contract in the end, as the coaching staff believed he did not meet the standards. But even so, Ferguson unexpectedly recommended Lonsdale to Doncaster.

Lonsdale will never forget the moment Ferguson said goodbye to him. "That was my last day at the Red Devils. I was in the players' lunch area and he came over to shake my hand and wish me good luck. He also said that I was always welcome to return to Carrington to train with the team and that the door would never be closed. I just need to work hard at the next club, keep training my body and improve my speed, and I still have a chance."

This is the story of Ferguson and Lonsdale. For those who eventually left the Red Devils, the experience of Carrington must have made their lives different.

Many years later, the Manchester United genius Morrison regretted his training and growth experience in the Manchester United. Morrison, who wasted his youth and talent, was a little genius that Ferguson felt extremely sorry for during his coaching career with the Manchester United. Ferguson believed that Morrison's talent was much higher than many of his peers and that he was definitely qualified to become a superstar. At Old Trafford, Ferguson taught Morrison carefully countless times, talked with Morrison many times, and disciplined this guy strictly countless times, but Ferguson's efforts could never beat Morrison's damn hobbies and self-indulgence.

Ferguson mentioned in his book "Leading" that Ravel Morrison was the saddest example of a youth player during his career as a Red Devils manager. He had to sell him to West Ham United in January 2012. Ferguson also specifically asked Sam Allardyce, the then West Ham United manager, to take good care of Ravel Morrison because he was really a genius. Ferguson said to Sam Allardyce: "Morrison is really a genius. He has top ability and is a very good player. If you can solve his off-field problems, he is a genius you have got!"

Morrison failed to live up to Ferguson's expectations of him, but many years later, Morrison still received Ferguson's care and the kindness of his friends in the Red Devils training camp. After years of poverty, Ferguson even helped him arrange to return to Carrington for training to maintain his form.

This is the kindness and enthusiasm that Ferguson showed in the youth training. His youth training organization is also the contribution of the Red Devils as a big club to the surrounding community and British football. The Red Devils continued to expand their influence and eventually became the club with the most fans and the greatest influence in the world. The work done by Ferguson is an indispensable part of this achievement.