Photo Courtesy
Ferguson, who managed United for over 26 years, won his first Premier League title in 1992/93, giving the Red Devils their first league success since 1967.
Six players under Ferguson have already been inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame – David Beckham, Eric Cantona, Roy Keane, Wayne Rooney, Peter Schmeichel and Paul Scholes.
“It’s an honor to be recognized like this,” said Ferguson, who retired in 2013 after winning his 13th title.
“It’s not just about me as a person though. It’s about working at Manchester United and the league we’ve had for many years, so I’m also proud of the club, the staff and my players.”
Wenger arrived at Arsenal in 1996 as one of the first foreign managers in the Premier League and remained at the club until 2018. The French implemented a revolutionary football philosophy that brought an emphasis on nutrition and sports science to the English game.
Committed to playing attractive, attacking football, he won the title in 1997/98, his first full season at the club.
Wenger followed a shrewd transfer strategy, including scouting abroad for talent, with Hall of Famers Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira two of his key players.
“It’s a great honor for me to share this with Sir Alex,” said the 73-year-old, who is now FIFA’s head of football development.
“It’s like two boxers – you fight like crazy and go the distance together. After all, it’s an honor for you and a great opportunity to meet him, share a good bottle of wine and reminisce about our old battles.”
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said the two managers had brought “unparalleled success” to their clubs.
“Manchester United’s reign under Sir Alex is unparalleled after he guided them to an incredible 13 Premier League titles in 21 seasons,” he said.
Masters added: “Arsene was innovative way ahead of his time… and the Invincibles’ season is not only one of the greatest achievements in English football, but sport in general.
photo courtesy
SIR ALEX FERGUSON’S PREMIER LEAGUE SUCCESS
• Sir Alex Ferguson won the Premier League title 13 times as manager of Manchester United, nine times more than any other manager in Premier League history.
• Ferguson has won more games (528) and seen his team score more goals (1,627) than any other manager in Premier League history.
• Ferguson was the first manager to win 50 Premier League games (May 199
), 100 Premier League games (April 1996), 200 Premier League games (September 2000) and 250 Premier League games (November 2002).
• Ferguson is the only manager to win the Premier League title in three consecutive seasons, twice in 1998-99 and 2000-01 and 2006-07 and 2008-09.
• Under Ferguson, Manchester United scored the most Premier League points in the 1990s (620), 2000s (832) and between January 2010 and the last game played in May 2013 (300). • Ferguson won the first ever Premier League Manager of the Month award in August 1993, winning it 27 times, the most of any manager.
• Arsène Wenger has overseen his 828 games, the most in Premier League history.
• Like Arsenal in 2003/0
, the only manager to remain undefeated in his Premier League, winning 26 of 38 games and drawing 12.
• Wenger holds the record for the longest managerial unbeaten streak in Premier League history. Between May 2003 and his October 200
, he recorded his
9 match unbeaten streak at Arsenal.
• In 2001/02, Wenger’s Arsenal scored in every Premier League game to win the title. They are the only team in Premier League history to score in every game during a season. • Wenger has scored in 22 consecutive Premier League seasons from 1996/97 to 2017/18. It was the most diverse season in the history of the Premier League.
• Wenger has won his 106 London derbies in the Premier League, 6
more than any other manager in Premier League history.
Discussion about this post