Source: Daily_Mail
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson insists he never has self-doubt
Happy days: Sir Alex applauds the fans after victory over Aston Villa[LNB]Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed the secret that underpins his extraordinary career as a manager - leave no room for self-doubt.[LNB]It is not a trait anyone tends to think of when discussing the Manchester United manager, whose side took another step towards a record 19th league title with their 3-1 win over Aston Villa on Tuesday.[LNB]Rightly or wrongly, Ferguson oftenleaves no room for manoeuvre when a decision has been made and rare arethe times he corrects them.[LNB]To some, such a dogmatic attitudecan be seen as weakness. However, in one of the most high-pressuredjobs anywhere, Ferguson insists it is the only way to be.[LNB]'I very seldom have self-doubt,' said the United boss in an exclusive interview with ESPN.[LNB]'The thing I always think aboutmaking a decision is not to have any doubts about it. Why go to yourbed at night-time having doubts? Be clear.[LNB]'You must have clarity in yourdecision-making. What is right and what is wrong. To me it is black andwhite. I try to erase doubts.'[LNB]Such is Ferguson's public profilethat he admits myths have grown up around him that get bigger as timegoes on. There was a point when he was furious about such stories -such as the claim he used to go behind the stand at East Stirling topractise swearing.[LNB] However, his three sons are more laid-back and have urged their 69-year-old father to be the same.Some traits remain though, including the intense work ethic that he developed during his youth in Govan.[LNB]'Your character and work ethic doesn't change,' he said. 'It is part of you and I like to see it in my players.'[LNB]That DNA is one of the reasons Ferguson has been so successful. Yet clearly, with 11 championships and two European Cups among a trophy collection unmatched in the English game, there is no motivation to be gained from a fear of failure.[LNB] Memories are made of this for ever and a day: Ferguson and his players celebrate European Cup success after their amazing win against Bayern Munich in 1999[LNB]'It was with me when I was young,' he said. 'Every manager knows the name of the game. You have to be successful. That drives a lot of people on. Who wants to fail?[LNB]'Now I am integrated into this club, which brings a responsibility to win. That is more accurate than the fear of failure that was there in the early days.'[LNB]And, at an age when most men are trying to find ways of filling their days, Ferguson's ceaseless desire for more gets him out of bed every morning, occupying his mind to an extent there is simply no time for what has gone before.[LNB]'You can't dismiss the history of Manchester United,' he said. 'That was one of the things I wanted to bring back. That was the challenge.[LNB]'But I never think about what I have won. I don't have time for that.[LNB]'There is a certain vanity about it anyway. What has served me well over the years is keeping my feet on the ground.[LNB]'Humility is an important aspect of your life and should not be dismissed.'[LNB] No more! Ferguson vows to walk away from football once he leaves United Rooney double sinks plucky Villans as United maintain lead at the top[LNB] [LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson
