"People ask me why I don't retire after so many years in the game, but how could anyone with an ounce of passion for football in their soul voluntarily walk away from the opportunity to be involved in this type of occasion?" -- Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, before his side's UEFA Champions League clash with Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Ferguson has coached Manchester United for 27 years, winning just about every trophy available in that time and firmly establishing United as a global superpower. He has repeatedly defied those who see his age and incumbency as handicaps, and he now defies the broader European movement towards younger, more stylish, and more academic managers.
I harbor a strong dislike for Sir Alex Ferguson. He manages the team that I hate more than any other (in any sport). He insults referees when they rule against his players, and then insults the English Football Association for daring to punish him for doing so. He's smug, conceited, and entitled. A crotchety, wine-nosed old autocrat. And a genius. More on him some other time. Maybe.
He's here, flying in the face of my hatred, as my first soccer-related anything in a year or more, simply because his quote struck me. And I choose the word 'struck' very carefully. Anyone who knows me is aware of my passion for the game of soccer, football, whatever. The sport, the "funny old game." I love it. I follow it obsessively. I play it when the weather permits (I'm crap). I got up at 7 AM the other weekend, on the back of a truly nasty hangover, just to watch a less-than-marquee Dutch team field a couple of exciting young players. And now I am here, on the interwebs, to bring my passion to the masses. Or something.
He's here, flying in the face of my hatred, as my first soccer-related anything in a year or more, simply because his quote struck me. And I choose the word 'struck' very carefully. Anyone who knows me is aware of my passion for the game of soccer, football, whatever. The sport, the "funny old game." I love it. I follow it obsessively. I play it when the weather permits (I'm crap). I got up at 7 AM the other weekend, on the back of a truly nasty hangover, just to watch a less-than-marquee Dutch team field a couple of exciting young players. And now I am here, on the interwebs, to bring my passion to the masses. Or something.
What do I for a living? I have a desk job. The less said about it, the better. Sir Alex Ferguson is 71 years old, he's won everything there is to win, he's filthy rich and globally respected, and he's still giving his life to what he loves. How can I not, at the very least, be spending my free time writing about this stuff? What the hell have I been doing? Don't answer that.
So welcome, one and all. Anyone who's a fan of the beautiful game. Here you'll find good information, a few laughs (I hope), and all the insight I can provide.
Regards,
Jason Cox
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