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More snippets from that GQ interview
http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1778_4421516,00.html
Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed Peter Kenyon's defection from Manchester United to Chelsea in 2003 by insisting it was a blessing in disguise.
Kenyon replaced Martin Edwards as chief executive of United in August 2000 and much was made of his long-time support of the club.
During his tenure, Kenyon negotiated record sponsorship deals and secured a marketing tie-up with the New York Yankees as well as overseeing the signings of Rio Ferdinand, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Juan Sebastian Veron.
However, the highly-public pursuit of Ronaldinho ended in failure when the player chose to join Barcelona while David Beckham moved to Real Madrid.
After three years, Kenyon chose to move to a similar position at Chelsea under new owner Roman Abramovich with United moving swiftly to replace him with David Gill.
Ferguson, though, is adamant his departure was not a blow.
In an interview with GQ Magazine published in The Times, Ferguson said: "No. Definitely not. Peter Kenyon? He wasn't a loss.
"The best thing that has happened recently has been David Gill."
Since Kenyon moved to Stamford Bridge, United have won both European and domestic titles.
Kenyon was pictured wearing a runners-up medal at the Champions League final in Moscow earlier this year after the Red Devils had edged the penalty shoot-out.
In contrast, Sir Bobby Charlton refused to wear a winners' medal.
Ferguson continued: "Charlton was saying: 'look, this is not my night'.
"'This is the players' night'.
"There would have been a lot of understanding if he had worn the medal because, 50 years on from the Busby Babes, he had every right.
"But he was thinking of the players and the football club.
"And that is Bobby Charlton."
The Scot is set to retire at the end of next season and he admits it is a daunting prospect although he is confident there will be a smooth transition.
"There will be no problem," the 66-year-old went on. "The foundation is here. The morale is here. I am not responsible for everything.
"It's a funny thing, though; the older I get, the more frightened I get of retiring.
"But there will come a time when I clear my desk and someone will take over.
"I hope and expect they will be a formidable person.
"Because this job, believe me, is not easy."
http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1778_4421516,00.html
Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed Peter Kenyon's defection from Manchester United to Chelsea in 2003 by insisting it was a blessing in disguise.
Kenyon replaced Martin Edwards as chief executive of United in August 2000 and much was made of his long-time support of the club.
During his tenure, Kenyon negotiated record sponsorship deals and secured a marketing tie-up with the New York Yankees as well as overseeing the signings of Rio Ferdinand, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Juan Sebastian Veron.
However, the highly-public pursuit of Ronaldinho ended in failure when the player chose to join Barcelona while David Beckham moved to Real Madrid.
After three years, Kenyon chose to move to a similar position at Chelsea under new owner Roman Abramovich with United moving swiftly to replace him with David Gill.
Ferguson, though, is adamant his departure was not a blow.
In an interview with GQ Magazine published in The Times, Ferguson said: "No. Definitely not. Peter Kenyon? He wasn't a loss.
"The best thing that has happened recently has been David Gill."
Since Kenyon moved to Stamford Bridge, United have won both European and domestic titles.
Kenyon was pictured wearing a runners-up medal at the Champions League final in Moscow earlier this year after the Red Devils had edged the penalty shoot-out.
In contrast, Sir Bobby Charlton refused to wear a winners' medal.
Ferguson continued: "Charlton was saying: 'look, this is not my night'.
"'This is the players' night'.
"There would have been a lot of understanding if he had worn the medal because, 50 years on from the Busby Babes, he had every right.
"But he was thinking of the players and the football club.
"And that is Bobby Charlton."
The Scot is set to retire at the end of next season and he admits it is a daunting prospect although he is confident there will be a smooth transition.
"There will be no problem," the 66-year-old went on. "The foundation is here. The morale is here. I am not responsible for everything.
"It's a funny thing, though; the older I get, the more frightened I get of retiring.
"But there will come a time when I clear my desk and someone will take over.
"I hope and expect they will be a formidable person.
"Because this job, believe me, is not easy."
