Thursday, May 9

A Cultural Moment

Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement from Manchester United trumps the Queen's speech to Parliament. Under the Queen, England has one World Cup - with Ferguson, 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League twice.

Yes, Ferguson special in a uniquely British way. Only the late George Steinbrenner of the Yankees comes to mind as an equal and Thatcher as divisive. Under Ferguson's watch, Manchester United become the most celebrated football team in the world, and the most valuable sports franchise any where.

He was often brutish towards fans and referees, childish with the press, foul mouthed, sexist and prone to temper tantrums. Worse, for the English Premiere, he is a Scot. Ferguson revelled in it. To non Man U fans, he was Gunnery Sergeant Hartman and Old Trafford the bully grounds.