FERGIE FIGHTS FOR LIFE
Sir Alex Ferguson recovering in intensive care after surgery on brain haemorrhage
SIR Alex Ferguson is recovering in intensive care after undergoing emergency surgery for a life-threatening brain haemorrhage.
The 76-year-old former Manchester United manager was said to be in an “extremely serious” condition after being rushed to hospital following a seizure at his house.
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It is understood Fergie complained of feeling unwell at his home in Wilmslow, Gtr Manchester, on Thursday before an ambulance was called at 9am yesterday.
He was then transferred under police escort to Salford Royal Hospital.
Wife Cathy, who he wed in 1966, and his sons Mark, Darren and Jason were thought to be at his hospital bedside after he was put into an induced coma.
A Manchester United statement said: "Sir Alex has undergone emergency surgery today for a brain haemorrhage. The procedure has gone very well but he needs a period of intensive care to optimise his recovery. His family request privacy."
BT Sport send best wishes to Sir Alex Ferguson after emergency brain surgery
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“They are not sure he is going to survive, but are trying to stay optimistic and hope that his renowned fighting spirit pulls him through.
“He was due to have an operation of some kind and his prognosis will be clearer after that.”
Doncaster Rovers manager Darren, 46, yesterday missed his team’s League One game with Wigan, citing “family reasons”.
The source added: “It would have to be extremely serious for Darren to miss a game.
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“He and his family are in pieces, especially Cathy. People in football are devastated and just hoping for the best outcome. It’s all happened so suddenly and taken everyone by surprise.
“It is particularly shocking as he seemed in such great health and sprightly and full of vigour.”
Last night United said in a statement: “Sir Alex Ferguson has undergone emergency surgery for a brain haemorrhage. The procedure has gone very well but he needs a period of intensive care to optimise his recovery.”
Worried fans placed flowers and cards outside Old Trafford today in a touching tribute to the football legend.
A Sir Alex Ferguson statue stands outside the entrance to the stadium.
The illness comes less than a week after Sir Alex lapped up the adulation of 75,000 Old Trafford fans.
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Sam Allardyce says news of Sir Alex Ferguson's illness is 'tragic' and wishes former Manchester United manager all the best
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Last Sunday a smiling Fergie, who landed 13 league titles with United, appeared on the pitch to present outgoing Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger with a gift on his last visit with the Gunners.
The Scot laughed and joked with Wenger, 68, as he gave the Frenchman a metal vase in a box as the old adversaries put on a great display of sportsmanship.
The crowd lapped up the moment as the duo, famed for their spats as they vied for title supremacy in the late ’90s and early 2000s, hugged and chatted.
Sir Alex - known for his love of racehorses and red wine - retired as United manager in May 2013 after winning the Premier League title in his final season.
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Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has emergency surgery at Salford Royal Hospital
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He retained a deep affinity for the club, where he is still a director, and has been a regular at games this season.
Born in Govan, Glasgow, he played as a striker for a string of Scottish clubs including St Johnstone, Dunfermline and Rangers.
He started his managerial career north of the border and led Aberdeen to a European Cup Winners Cup triumph in 1983.
The no-nonsense boss was snapped up by Man Utd, joining the club in 1986 and going on to become one of the most successful managers in history.
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Arsene Wenger gets warm reception from Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson ahead of Manchester United vs Arsenal clash
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Fergie, who struggled in his first few years at the club, went on to win 38 trophies with the Red Devils, including 13 league titles, five FA Cups and two Champions Leagues in a 26-year reign.
Ferguson had originally planned to retire at the end of the 2001-2 season, but went back on that after speaking to Cathy and their sons.
In 2015, he wrote of that decision: “My first run at retirement was a textbook case for how not to do it. I was turning 60, which in my father’s time was a watershed age, but these days has far less significance.
“I could not help but think of what happened to Jock Stein and Bill Shankly after they had retired from Celtic and Liverpool, and I was determined that would not happen to me.”
Why Sir Alex retired in 2013
SIR Alex gave the death of his sister-in-law as the reason for ending his glittering managerial career in 2013.
Wife Cathy’s twin, Bridget, had died the previous year.
Sir Alex felt he owed a debt to Cathy, who he married in 1966 and who talked him out of retirement in 2002.
He explained in 2013: “I would have carried on. I saw her (Cathy) watching TV one night and she looked up at the ceiling. I knew she was isolated.
“When I told her I was going to retire she had no objection. I knew she wanted me to do it.”
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His wife of 47 years - who Fergie has hailed as the “key figure” - was an important influence in his decision to quit in 2013.
In an interview Sir Alex said he did not retire as “she thought she would soon be fed up with me around the house”. After he decided to stay at the club United won eight more trophies.
Three years ago, Sir Alex wrote of his post-Man United life: “After a lifetime of getting ready for work at six in the morning, I like waking up at eight, having breakfast with Cathy (which I had not done for 30 years), reading the paper, and going to have lunch in the village.
"I suppose that retirement, for some people, can be like bereavement.
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“For the first time in my life, I was in charge of my life in a way that I had not been since the school holidays of my childhood.
“It was a liberating experience and has allowed me to do things that I could never have done while at United.
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“Together with a few pals, I have ownership interests in a number of horses. We buy them usually as two-year-olds.
I’ve enjoyed watching What A Friend winning two Group One races or going to meetings at York or Doncaster, and being able to linger at the track without the need to bolt back to Manchester.”
A North West Ambulance spokesman said last night: “We can confirm that an ambulance attended in the Wilmslow area of Cheshire at 9am this morning and a patient was taken to hospital.”
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