WE’RE ROOTING FOR YOU FERGIE
Guardiola and Pele lead the chorus of well-wishers
PEP GUARDIOLA interrupted Manchester City’s title celebrations yesterday to send support and best wishes to the seriously ill Sir Alex Ferguson. Former Manchester United manager Ferguson (pictured) was in a stable condition last night in Salford Royal Hospital, one of the country’s top neurological centres, after emergency surgery for a brain haemorrhage on Saturday. Those close to him are said to be ‘cautiously optimistic’ about his recovery. Guardiola said: ‘It’s so sad. Get well, Sir Alex. A big hug and our thoughts are with his wife (Lady Cathy) and all the Manchester United family because he’s the most important person in I don’t know how many years. ‘I was glad to have dinner with him two weeks ago. All the Manchester City fans in the stadium. You cannot find one person who does not wish the best for an amazing person. ‘Hopefully he can recover and come back as quick as he can.’ Sir Alex, 76, was operated on after being transferred from Macclesfield District Hospital following a fall at home. The next 48 hours
are key in terms of assessing the impact of the brain haemorrhage. Ferguson’s condition has stunned football. Pele, Carlo Ancelotti and Massimiliano Allegri led the messages of support and goodwill pouring in from around the world. The depth of feeling was illustrated in a tweet from United’s official account which said: ‘Please. Be strong. Win this one.’ Fans have left flowers by Ferguson’s statue at Old Trafford, while others visited the club’s chapel to pray for him. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said: ‘I was with him on the pitch last week and I went to see him in the box after the game. He looked in perfect shape. ‘We wish him well and that he recovers quickly. He is a strong and optimistic man.’ United sources have stressed that Ferguson is receiving the best possible care available to aid his recuperation. Mike McNally, the club doctor, quickly made his way to Salford Royal on Saturday when the gravity of the situation became apparent. The aspect that has proved most shocking is that those who have seen Ferguson in recent days reported him to be in rude health. Ferguson’s former skipper Bryan Robson told Sportsmail: ‘His son, Jason, gave me a phone call early evening (on Saturday) so it did come as a big surprise and a shock. ‘But from what I’ve heard the operation went well, so hopefully the boss should have a full recovery. Everybody respects him highly for what he did in the game. ‘He had a big influence over me. He’s good company when you are around him. Hopefully he will fully recover.’ Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers said after yesterday’s Premiership match with Hearts: ‘It was a big shock to us all when we heard, because he was a man in great health, as we’ve all seen. ‘He’s a colossal manager and an inspiration to all young managers with his achievements and the way he conducts himself. ‘We all hope and pray he makes a good recovery and gets back to doing what he has done all his life — inspiring young managers like myself.’ Hearts counterpart and former Scotland boss Craig Levein said: ‘Everybody at the club is obviously thinking about him. ‘I know him reasonably well and he has always appeared to me to be indestructible. ‘It’s terribly sad that he is unwell just now and everyone at Hearts hopes he can come through it. He was a great help to me in the Scotland job, really good. ‘Every time I would go down to see a game at Manchester United, he would spend half an hour with me before the match, just talking, chatting about Scotland. ‘He has a huge passion for Scotland and Scottish players. And a lot of managers would tell you similar stories. He is just a decent guy.’