ManU Manager ALEX FERGUSON "has revealed the dressing room secrets that have kept him at the top for a quarter of a century," according to Pete Bainbridge of the MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS. The Reds' boss "gave an astonishing insight into his managerial philosophy and psychology at Old Trafford, and spoke openly of his approach to players in the modern era." He spoke of the core values he demands and that he must address the toughest issues head-on, and never second-guess himself, using the motto: "Never go to bed with doubt." He also admitted he is a "bad loser." In his widest-ranging interview of the past decade, Fergie "broke his code of silence to academics from the prestigious Harvard Business School in Boston" (MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS, 12/19). The London GUARDIAN wrote Ferguson "discusses his determination to prevent media leaks, how to keep players in line, and how to use a more sensitive approach to keep them happy, too." Ferguson said, "Players these days have lived more sheltered lives, so they are much more fragile now than 25 years ago. I was very aggressive all those years ago. I am passionate and want to win all the time. But today I'm more mellowed -- age does that to you. And I can better handle those more fragile players now" (GUARDIAN, 12/19).
BACK TO SCHOOL: The London TELEGRAPH wrote Ferguson "was the subject of an academic study by professor ANITA ELBERSE at the Harvard Business School." The Scot later described the experience as "excellent, enjoyable, and comfortable" while also learned a lot about himself. Ferguson said, "The whole atmosphere was professional. It was clear that they had done their homework. They had properly read the case study and supplemented that with their own opinions and research. That gave me a certain assurance that I had made the right decision to go ahead with the case" (TELEGRAPH, 12/19).
CATCHING SOME RAYS: In London, Adam Shergold reported the Harvard study revealed that ManU had a Vitamin D machine installed to "compensate for Manchester's lack of natural sunlight." Manager Alex Ferguson also gave players "staggered one-week breaks during the winter months, so they could replenish their Vitamin D" (DAILY MAIL, 12/19).
