Former Manchester United and Aberdeen manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been hailed for one remarkable feat that he pulled off in his remarkable managerial career.
The 83-year-old Manchester United legend oversaw incredible success in his native homeland of Scotland with Aberdeen and later in England with the Red Devils.
Sir Alex Ferguson, who is widely regarded as one of the best managers of all time, hoovered up the major silverware during his legendary reign at Old Trafford.
The iconic former United manager led the Red Devils to all 13 of their Premier League titles, as well as capturing two Champions League trophies at the club.
Ferguson, who arrived at Old Trafford after he left Aberdeen, bowed out of football in 2013 after he secured United’s last Premier League title in the 2012-13 season.
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty ImagesAberdeen and Man Utd legend Sir Alex Ferguson earns huge praise from Gordon Strachan for one major feat
Sir Alex Ferguson successfully challenged the dominance that Rangers and Celtic had over Scottish football during his prolific managerial spell at Scottish outfit Aberdeen.
The Manchester United icon lifted three Scottish Premier Division titles, four Scottish Cups and a Scottish League Cup during his impressive period at Pittodrie Stadium.
However, Ferguson produced one of the biggest achievements in his career at Aberdeen after he led the Scottish side to a famous win over Real Madrid in 1983.
Aberdeen defeated Real Madrid 2-1 in the 1983 European Cup Winners’ Cup final, which was the last time that Los Blancos lost in the final of a major European tournament.
Speaking to FourFourTwo magazine, former Aberdeen and United player Gordon Strachan said: “That game is still the last time that Real Madrid lost a major European final.
“The oldest player in our team was only 28 and we all came from Scotland, which was phenomenal, led by Sir Alex Ferguson, arguably the best manager of all time, who just scared you into winning!”
Gordon Strachan explains the secret success behind Aberdeen’s successful period under Man Utd legend Sir Alex Ferguson
Gordon Strachan was in the heart of the Aberdeen midfield for the Cup Winners’ Cup final against Real Madrid and he played out the full match in 1983.
The 68-year-old former Scotland international admitted that a major part of Aberdeen’s successful run under Ferguson was their winning mentality.
Speaking on Aberdeen and Ferguson, Strachan added: “People ask you, ‘How did you keep winning?’ We just didn’t want to get beat!
“That game always gives me a link to any Aberdeen person around the world, and I still have a bond with the other players – every now and then, all of us get together.
“Nothing changes, we’re the same characters, just a bit fatter and balder!”
Ferguson arrived at Aberdeen in 1978 after his run at St Mirren and the United legend would leave the Pittodrie Stadium and move to Old Trafford in 1986.