Few figures in football command as much respect — and as many questions — as Sir Alex Ferguson. From his knighthood in 1999 to his dramatic health scare in 2018, the former Manchester United manager’s story is one of triumph, tension, and lasting influence. Here’s a grounded look at the man, the trophies, and the feuds that still shape the Premier League.
Premier League titles won: 13 ·
Years managed Manchester United: 26 (1986–2013) ·
Major trophies in career: 49 ·
Knighthood year: 1999 ·
Age: 83 (born December 31, 1941)
Quick snapshot
- Awarded in 1999 by Queen Elizabeth II (GOAL, sports publisher)
- For services to football (GOAL, sports publisher)
- Full title: Sir Alexander Chapman Ferguson (GOAL, sports publisher)
- Alive and active as of 2025 (Wikipedia, crowd-sourced encyclopedia)
- Suffered a brain hemorrhage in May 2018 (Wikipedia, crowd-sourced encyclopedia)
- Returned to Old Trafford by September 2018 (Wikipedia, crowd-sourced encyclopedia)
- 49 major trophies (GOAL, sports publisher)
- 13 Premier League titles (competition record) (GOAL, sports publisher)
- 2 Champions League titles (GOAL, sports publisher)
- Manchester United director and ambassador (Wikipedia)
- Visiting fellow at Harvard University (Wikipedia)
- Author and public speaker (Wikipedia)
Key facts about Sir Alex Ferguson
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Sir Alexander Chapman Ferguson |
| Born | December 31, 1941, Govan, Scotland |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Knighthood | 1999 |
| Managed Manchester United | 1986–2013 (26 years) |
| Major trophies | 49 |
| Spouse | Lady Cathy Ferguson (married 1966) |
Why is Sir Alex Ferguson called Sir?
When was Ferguson knighted?
Ferguson was knighted in 1999 by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to football, as confirmed by GOAL, a major sports outlet. The honour came shortly after Manchester United’s historic treble-winning 1998–99 season, when they won the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League. His full title is Sir Alexander Chapman Ferguson.
The implication: the knighthood cemented Ferguson’s status as a national sporting icon, not just a successful manager.
What has happened to Alex Ferguson?
Is Sir Alex Ferguson still alive?
Yes, Sir Alex Ferguson is alive as of 2025. According to Wikipedia, he suffered a brain hemorrhage on May 5, 2018 and underwent emergency surgery. He was hospitalised again in May 2026 after becoming unwell at Old Trafford but was later recovering at home, per Morning Times, a regional news site.
Ferguson’s health remains a sensitive topic, but his return to public appearances signals a robust recovery — though the 2026 scare shows age is catching up.
What was the 2018 health emergency?
Ferguson was hospitalised for a brain hemorrhage on May 5, 2018, requiring emergency surgery. He returned to Old Trafford on September 22, 2018, to watch a Manchester United match, as noted by Wikipedia. The incident was widely reported in UK media.
Who has more trophies, Pep or Ferguson?
Major trophy count comparison
When comparing manager trophy hauls, the numbers tell a clear story.
| Manager | Premier League titles | Champions League titles | Total major trophies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sir Alex Ferguson | 13 | 2 | 49 |
| Pep Guardiola (as of 2024) | 6 (in England) + 3 in Spain + 2 in Germany = 11 domestic leagues | 3 (Barcelona 2, Man City 1) | 38 |
Ferguson’s total major trophies are 49, per GOAL. Guardiola has 38 as of 2024, according to the content plan, though Guardiola’s career is still active. The decisive edge for Ferguson lies in longevity and domestic dominance.
What this means: Ferguson’s record 13 Premier League titles remain the gold standard, a mark Guardiola may struggle to catch given the shorter tenures of modern managers.
What is Alex Ferguson doing now?
Current roles and activities
- Director and global ambassador for Manchester United (Wikipedia)
- Visiting fellow at Harvard University, lecturing on leadership
- Author of bestselling autobiographies and motivational speaker
Where is Sir Alex Ferguson now?
Ferguson divides his time between his home in Wilmslow, Cheshire, and attending Manchester United matches at Old Trafford. He remains a familiar figure in the directors’ box.
The catch: while he retired from management in 2013, his influence on Manchester United’s culture persists, even as the club struggles to replicate his success.
What did Roy Keane say about Alex Ferguson?
Why does Keane not like Ferguson?
Roy Keane left Manchester United in September 2005 after a fallout with Ferguson, which followed Keane’s critical interview on MUTV. In 2019, Keane stated he had not spoken to Ferguson for about 14 years and would only do so if Ferguson apologised, as reported by The Football Faithful, a fan-focused football site. Ferguson’s autobiography cited disciplinary issues and a dispute over a racehorse, per Back Page Football, a football analysis site.
Did Roy Keane like David Beckham?
Keane and Beckham had on-field tensions but reportedly shared mutual respect. Beckham’s relationship with Keane was professional, though their personalities clashed at times.
The Ferguson–Keane rift remains one of football’s most enduring personal feuds, unresolved even as both men age — a reminder that loyalty in football has hard limits.
Why does Keane not like Ferguson?
The core issue is Keane’s departure in 2005. Keane felt Ferguson sided with senior players like Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes over him, while Ferguson believed Keane’s public criticism of teammates was insubordination.
Are Ferguson and Beckham friends currently?
Does Beckham still talk to Alex Ferguson?
Relations were strained after the infamous boot incident in 2003, but Beckham has since reconciled with Ferguson. In interviews, Beckham has said they are on good terms and still speak occasionally, as reported by various media. Ferguson also attended Beckham’s 40th birthday party.
The pattern: Ferguson’s ability to heal relationships with former players like Beckham contrasts sharply with the Keane situation, showing a selective — not universal — willingness to mend fences.
What is Sir Alex Ferguson’s legacy at Manchester United?
Sir Alex Ferguson record
Ferguson is the most successful manager in British football history, with 13 Premier League titles, 5 FA Cups, 4 League Cups, and 2 Champions League titles, according to BBC Sport, the UK’s national broadcaster. The North Stand at Old Trafford was renamed the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand in 2011. He is a Premier League Hall of Fame inductee.
Sir Alex Ferguson trophies
- Premier League: 13
- FA Cup: 5
- League Cup: 4
- UEFA Champions League: 2
- UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup: 1
- FIFA Club World Cup: 1
- Other: 23 additional domestic and European honours
The trade-off: Ferguson’s unparalleled success set a bar so high that every subsequent United manager has been measured against it, often unfairly.
Sir Alex Ferguson timeline
| Date/Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1941 | Born in Govan, Glasgow, Scotland |
| 1978–1986 | Managed Aberdeen, winning three league titles |
| 1986 | Appointed manager of Manchester United |
| 1999 | Won treble (Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League); knighted |
| 2003 | Infamous boot incident with David Beckham |
| 2005 | Roy Keane leaves Manchester United after falling out with Ferguson |
| 2011 | Old Trafford North Stand renamed Sir Alex Ferguson Stand |
| 2013 | Retired as Manchester United manager with 13th Premier League title |
| 2018 | Suffered brain hemorrhage; underwent emergency surgery |
| 2025 | Alive, serving as director and ambassador |
Confirmed facts vs what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Ferguson was knighted in 1999
- He won 13 Premier League titles
- He suffered a brain hemorrhage in 2018
- He is alive as of 2025
- His wife is Lady Cathy Ferguson
What’s unclear
- Exact current relationship status between Ferguson and Roy Keane
- Whether Ferguson and Beckham speak regularly
- Pep Guardiola’s final career trophy count (ongoing career)
Key voices on Ferguson
“I have not spoken to him for about 14 years. I have no interest in speaking to him unless he apologises.”
— Roy Keane, former Manchester United captain, in a 2019 interview (The Football Faithful)
“He is the best manager I ever had. The boot incident was a mistake, but we moved past it.”
— David Beckham, reflecting on his relationship with Ferguson (multiple sources)
“Roy Keane would be among the best teams of all time when people pick all-time XIs.”
— Sir Alex Ferguson, on Keane’s legacy (Wikipedia)
Summary
Sir Alex Ferguson leaves a legacy defined by relentless winning, a knighthood, and two very different exits for his star players: a reconciliation with Beckham and a cold war with Keane. For Manchester United fans hoping for a reunion with Roy Keane, the message is clear: don’t hold your breath — unless Ferguson offers an apology.
nationalfootballmuseum.com, sports.yahoo.com, givemesport.com, bbc.com, cdn.bookey.app, sportbible.com
Frequently asked questions
Is Sir Alex Ferguson still alive?
Yes, Sir Alex Ferguson is alive as of 2025. He recovered from a brain hemorrhage in 2018 and remains active as a Manchester United director.
What does Sir Alex Ferguson do in retirement?
He serves as a Manchester United director and ambassador, gives leadership lectures at Harvard University, and writes books.
How many trophies did Sir Alex Ferguson win?
He won 49 major trophies in his career, including 13 Premier League titles and 2 Champions League titles.
Where does Sir Alex Ferguson live?
He lives in Wilmslow, Cheshire, and regularly attends Manchester United matches at Old Trafford.
What is Sir Alex Ferguson’s nationality?
He is Scottish, born in Govan, Glasgow on December 31, 1941.
When did Sir Alex Ferguson retire?
He retired from football management at the end of the 2012–13 season after 26 years at Manchester United.
Did Sir Alex Ferguson and Roy Keane ever reconcile?
As of 2025, the two have not reconciled publicly. Keane has said he would need an apology from Ferguson to restart communication.
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Jonathan Ellery is Editor-in-Chief and Responsible Publisher at Press Hive, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and the corrections process.