There was hardly a cloud in the sky on Sunday, it was probably the hottest day of the year.
But football fans acoss the nation opted to watch a different type of Sky. Temperatures on and off the pitch soared as the Premier League reached a gripping climax.
A priceless goal from Ryan Giggs steered Manchester United to yet another Premier League title, while nearest-rivals Chelsea failed to beat lowly Bolton.
United needed to beat Wigan and did just that, while Avram Grant’s Cheslea could only manage a 1-1 draw to ensure the title was not decided by goal difference.
So who do you think was United’s star performer this season? On the pitch it was undoubtedly Cristiano Ronaldo but the brains behind the operation was typically manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Remarkably, Fergie has guided United to no fewer than ten Premier League titles and is hoping to add more to his collection. But what makes him such a successful manager, and sets him apart from the rest?
There are numerous answers to this question, but just consider the phrase ‘mind-games’. I’ll leave you to ponder that for a second.
What Fergie has done brilliantly over the years is manipulating the press to gain an advantage. Rather than seeing the constant media gaze as a hindrance, Fergie cunningly uses the press to help his team’s cause.
In the build-up to Sunday’s fixtures, Chelsea would have claimed the title with victory over Bolton if United slipped up at Wigan.
However, just a few days before kick-off on Sunday, Fergie claimed that Bolton had been out celebrating all week after surviving relegation – rather than preparing for their visit to Chelsea.
I discovered the story on the BBC wesbite but it was probably splashed over the back pages of every national newspaper.
Whether Fergie’s comments were true is irrelevant. By claiming Bolton had been out partying all week, Fergie was looking for an angry reaction from Bolton players.
He got exactly what he was looking for.
Bolton raised their game and made life uncompromisingly diffcult for Chelsea. They deservedly snatched a point with a last-gasp equaliser, even though it was of little consequence anyway.
That is just one example of many, I am sure.
Notably, if you cast your mind back to the title race of 1996, Fergie got the better of Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan who almost broke down on television and uttered the famous words: “I wud luv it if we beat them”.
In recent years, the only man to match Fergie at manipulating the press was the “Special One”, ex-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.
But since the Portugese was sent packing by billionaire owner Roman Ambraovich in October, it is Fergie who rules the roost.
So expect more mind-games as United prepare to take on Chelsea in the upcoming Champions League final in Moscow. The match may be seven days away but the media will continue to indulge in pointless hype until a ball is finally kicked.
Fergie will say one thing, Avram Grant will probably say the opposite. And then players from each side will get stuck in. And before you know it, the groundsman will give his opinion.
Sadly, it seems this ‘media circus’ is here to stay. Like Fergie, more and more managers will undoubtedly use the media as a sounding board to help their team and deter others.
The beach weather will soon disappear but mind-games from Fergie and others will continue to be delivered hot off the press.
Tags: Chelsea, football, Manchester United, media, Premier League, Sir Alex Ferguson
