Khaleej Times

Vidic eager to follow in Ferguson’s footsteps

- Reuters

manchester — Former Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic is keen to follow in the footsteps of his former boss Alex Ferguson and become a “real manager”.

Vidic played under Ferguson for more than seven years at United, helping the club win five Premier League titles, one Champions League trophy and several cup competitio­ns, before the Serbian moved to Italy’s Inter Milan in 2014.

Ferguson is United’s most successful manager, winning 38 trophies in more than 26 years at Old Trafford before retiring at the end of the 2012/13 season.

“There are no more managers any more, just coaches now,” Vidic told the BBC. “I would like to be a real manager.

“Alex Ferguson made it look easy. You watched him and thought: ‘I would like to do that.’

“But then I went to play in Italy. Then it didn’t look the same.”

Vidic, who retired from playing in 2016, believes that the current game is dictated by the players rather than the managers and club officials.

“Players want the money and have more power — more power than the managers...,” Vidic added. “When I was a player, I don’t think I used my power. I didn’t think I was above the manager; I respected the manager. For me, it was coach, manager, CEO, owner.

“I don’t have experience to talk about players from a manager’s view, but the players definitely have the power now.” —

 ?? AFP ?? In this file photo taken on March 14, 2009 Manchester United’s Portugese midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo (second) appeals to referee Alan Wiley (right) after Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic (third right) was sent off against Liverpool. —
AFP In this file photo taken on March 14, 2009 Manchester United’s Portugese midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo (second) appeals to referee Alan Wiley (right) after Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic (third right) was sent off against Liverpool. —

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