Sir Alex Ferguson refused to speak to Man Utd boss after Chelsea decision | Football

Former Manchester United manager Peter Kenyon has revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson gave him the silent treatment when he joined Chelsea. Moving from Old Trafford to Stamford Bridge in 2003, the avowed United devotee previously worked side-by-side with the illustrious Ferguson for years.

He is said to have been instrumental in persuading him to postpone retirement plans in 2002, not to mention signing key players such as Rio Ferdinand and Dwight Yorke.

In his confession on the ‘Rio Presents’ podcast, hosted by former United stars Ferdinand and Stephen Howson, Kenyon told of being shunned by United’s legendary gaffer when taking over as Chelsea executive in 2003, a position he held until the end . 2009.

Now aged 70, and reflecting on José Mourinho’s triumphs after he agreed to manage Chelsea in 2004, Kenyon commented: “In (Mourinho’s) first year, we won the championship.

“First time in 50 years, so he played back-to-back league and FA Cup games. Alex didn’t speak to me during that period, but that’s a different story.”

Ferdinand went on to praise Mourinho’s remarkable talent for instilling energy and competitive nature into the Chelsea squad, whilst also hinting at Kenyon’s probably confused reaction to Ferguson’s cold shoulder, although he probably grew to respect it over time.

Kenyon agreed, stating, “Yes, absolutely, and you understand that it is because it’s just ‘winning,’ it’s a winning culture and you don’t have time to waste time on people who aren’t with you.

“I mean, it’s brutal, it’s brutal, but if you look at the great things (Ferguson) did, like I said, he was the best coach I ever knew.”

When asked about Ferguson’s winning mentality, the former United CEO explained: “Well, you lose the game on Saturday, a game you shouldn’t have lost, in his mind you shouldn’t have lost. You’ve been on the bus, you’ve been on the plane.

“It takes you to the depths (of negativity). So, public, nothing to do with the boys. Privately, and all the best coaches are like, ‘It’s your fault. You didn’t do it, you did ‘don’t do it.’ , whatever.

“So the teams are here now, and he’s going to pick a point on the trip home or in practice the next day where he can’t have you there, he needs to have you ready for Tuesday’s game.

“Huge game against Milan or something like that, and he will change like that. And it will take you away from, ‘ok, you’re punished enough now for the result you didn’t get on Saturday, now you have to be ready’.”

Ferguson is celebrated as one of the most successful managers in English football history, having won the title 13 times, along with numerous other national and European awards.

Mourinho, also nicknamed ‘The Special One’, a nickname he created himself, is recognized as one of the greats, having won three Premier League titles and setting a record for the fewest goals conceded (15) in a league season.

Ferguson’s direct affiliation with United will end this season following Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s decision to end his role as global football ambassador, which has paid him £2.1m a year since retiring in 2013.