I never ruled at Manchester United by fear, I used hairdryer six times – Ferguson

Forum 7 years ago

I never ruled at Manchester United by fear, I used hairdryer six times – Ferguson

Former Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, has insisted that he only used the infamous ‘hairdryer treatment’ six times, during his 27-year stint at Old Trafford.

The 74-year-old, who won 38 major trophies with the club, also said he did not “rule by fear”.

Ferguson became United manager in 1986 and stepped down in 2013.


Speaking this week at the World Business Forum in Milan, the Scot shed more light about his style of management and how he handled the players after matches.

“There was a lot of myth about it. It happened about half a dozen times in 27 years and the players will tell you that,” said Ferguson, as reported by The Sun.

“The problem for me was if a player answered me back, I headed towards them. That was my problem.

“Jock Stein always said to me, ‘Leave it until Monday to talk to them,’ but I said I couldn’t wait until Monday. So, on a Saturday after the game, I told them exactly how I felt, because we had trained at a level all week that I expected to win every game.


“I told them exactly the truth and the truth works. All the players understood that and it was never held against me. Then the next day it is pushed aside and I’m prepared to win again.

“I never ruled by fear. Name a Manchester United team that played with fear.”