To what extend do leaders play a role in shaping their subordinates?

A leader like Sir Alex Ferguson is no doubt an impeccable true leader. Before he took charge over Manchester United, the club was in a peril. Sir Alex Ferguson's planning and recruitment has reshaped his players into a very well refined players. From the start to the end, Fergie was always guiding, instructing, and advised them. This is what a true leader must emphasise on to keep a company, organisation or a club going.

Legend

Before retiring from his position, Sir Alex Ferguson led Manchester United to another glorious victory in the summit of the English Premier League. That was one of his best moments as he retired with a name in his throne.

The Manchester United crews and players

in the changing room after winning the Premier League 

Title. 

Ferguson was well respected by so many people that he was even knighted by the royals. A statue of Sir Alex Ferguson, made out of metallic bronze was also being displayed in the front gates of Old Trafford, Manchester United's home ground. 

Legend is born: Sir Alex Ferguson.

Controversies and Criticism

Below are a few lists of controversies Fergie was involved in with referees and players:

Players

Throughout Fergie's 29 years as a manager in Manchester United, the luminary icon was involved in many controversies with his own players and referees. He was involved in an argument with a former Manchester United player, David Beckham where Furious Fergie alleged kicked a football boot in his face. This happened over the assumption of Beckham's favour on the opposing team. 

Beckham's cut above his left eye after the football

boot struck his eyes.

Referees 

The above picture depicts how Fergie was punished by his transgressions. He was fined with a sum after his provoking insults towards the referees as he wasn't pleased with their executions on his players. The uncontrollable Fergie then 'stood-out' for his players and defended them. 

How could Fergie dealt with that situations differently?

It is evident that all managers will get out of control when they see no players were are at fault and the referee just flash out a card at them. Referees are there to control the game and to see that no rules were broken. They seek justice for the other team when the opposing team broke the rules. 

Ferguson must learn a way to curb his temper. What's done cannot be undone; whether or not a referee made a mistake, Ferguson must learn to accept reality. Sometimes the referee might make a mistake and might cause the other team a penalty kick. Times like these are crucial as a penalty kick are often an easy ticket to win a match. 

References: "Controversies of Sir Alex Ferguson" Beckham forgives Ferguson. 19th February 2003, 5th October 2013. BBC Sport. Web. 19th February 2003. <Beckham forgives Ferguson - BBC>

Organisational Structure and Culture of Manchester United

Effective organisational structure leads to a very productive and well-managed workplace. Manchester United Football Club emphasises on organisational structure as they believe that a fast effective organisational structure allows the club to work well among themselves. 

The Crew

The bond between Sir Alex Ferguson and his players is simply intriguing; the way they discuss about a problem, the way they have fun and joke around, just what an organisations require between their bosses and subordinates. This makes a workplace a fun and shapes the subordinates to be dedicated in their jobs as they have everyone as their support. 

Sir Alex Ferguson together with his players during a 

training session. 

Sir Alex Ferguson motivation and communication with his team

Motivation

Sir Alex Ferguson is always calm when facing a loss as he believed that what's done cannot be undone. He also believes that the failing pass will lead to a successful future. It is also proven after the Manchester United massive loss to Manchester City during the Manchester derby back in the late 2011. During the interview with Sir Alex Ferguson, he stated that it was a 'big loss' and that his players will make changes as it affects them physically and mentally. Their mood will be affected by this loss which causes depression and dejected feeling of all the players. This causes them to take one step forward and take defeat as a source of motivation to do better in the future and to reshape their mood and to regain their lost honour.

Therefore, Sir Alex Ferguson implements the pain of defeat to motivate Manchester United's revival. After the tragic loss to Manchester City in the late 2011, Manchester United got back up with a 2-1 win over Manchester City in the start of the new season, 2012.

This video shows the interview of Sir Alex Ferguson's reaction
 after the tragic loss of 

Manchester United against Manchester City

Communication

Sir Alex Ferguson was a two-way communicator. It is notable in Sir Alex Ferguson as he analyses and discusses the strengths and weaknesses during the game and come up with a special tactic together with the team captain and their players to counterstrike their strengths by attacking their weaknesses. This is the key to a comeback in the game.

One of the most stunning comeback from Manchester United is during a match with Chelsea in the 5th of February 2013, having trailed 3-0 for nearly an hour. After half-time, the superior Manchester United climbed back up by scoring 3 goals to held a draw at Stamford Bridge. Some say it was a miracle but I say it was precision and planning. The feel of loss had intrigued the players during half-time but hope weren't given away as the players of Manchester United's meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson was a very informative one which gave away Chelsea's defend and caused 2 penalty kicks and a header to a 3-3 draw.

According to Danny Mills, a football analyst, he said: 

"When Chelsea went 3-0 up you thought 'that is it, game over'. But, as we know, United never give up. They got back in it with a soft penalty and then got another one which for me was not a penalty. That could be a turning point for them in the season."

I feel that there was an effective communication in Manchester United as Manchester United is well-known for making comebacks under such circumstances. I feel that Sir Alex Ferguson and his subordinates/players communicates well enough to plan an effective strategy to tackle problems under such circumstances which other team does not implement. This helps Manchester United to move up the table and win such number of trophies. 

Loyalty and respect towards a manager is the key

towards success in an organisation.

References: "Sir Alex Ferguson Motivation." Sir Alex Ferguson will stay calm but use pain of defeat to motivate Manchester United rivalry, says Gary Pallister. 24th October 2011, 24th October 2011. telegraph. Web. 25th September 2013. <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/8846736/Sir-Alex-Ferguson-will-stay-calm-but-use-pain-of-defeat-to-motivate-Manchester-United-revival-says-Gary-Pallister.html>

References: "Manchester United comebacks." Manchester United staged a stirring fightback from three goals down to earn a point against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge."  5th February 2012, 5th February 2012. BBC Sport. Web. 25th September 2013. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16779082>

How does Sir Alex Ferguson led and recruit his team?

Sir Alex Ferguson is a very fiery competitive natured guy. His strict disciplinarian attitude has caused some players to nickname him "Furious Fergie". He loathes players with huge ego and doesn't cooperate well in and out of the field. He's a fearless and full with charisma manager who often make public appearances to speak his mind about a matter to avoid public critics. He doesn't tolerate lack of focus and commitment of a player even though they know that they're going to lose. He wants that sense of loyalism when playing for Manchester United. He also gets easily mad at players who thinks they're above him as he doesn't like to be asked to do things.

Criticism: 

On Arsene Wenger : "They say he's an intelligent man, right? Speaks five languages. I've got a 15-year-old boy from the Ivory Coast who speaks five languages!"

On the referee Alan Wiley: "The pace of the game demanded a referee who was fit. It is an indictment of our game. You see referees abroad who are as fit as butcher's dogs. We have some who are fit. He wasn't fit. He was taking 30 seconds to book a player. He was needing a rest. It was ridiculous."

 On Jose Mourinho: "He was certainly full of it, calling me boss and big man when we had our post-match drink after the first leg. But it would help if his greetings were accompanied by a decent glass of wine. What he gave me was paint-stripper."

The quotes above were all quoted from Sir Alex Ferguson during interviews with medias and the press. He was clear about what he has to say and he is straightforward with anything. He has nothing to lose and he wants to be ahead of other competitors. I feel that he demonstrates a very autocratic leadership style as he wants things to be done his way. He was also partially a democracy person as he wants feedbacks on his ideas or tactics. With this, he can lead his team to a win with the combination of the players and managers ideas to target and counter the opposing teams tactics.

Sir Alex Ferguson confronting a referee during a match

Sir Alex Ferguson giving Wayne Rooney

a warning

Recruitment

Sir Alex Ferguson is well known for recruiting and nurturing a player into a world-class professional player. Some of them are, Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes to name a few. During recruitment, Sir Alex Ferguson analyses a players personality, attitudes and skills. These are the attributes that Ferguson look in order to come up with the perfect team. 

As an example, Cristiano Ronaldo, from Sporting, now the world's most expensive football player who scores more goals than games played,  joined Manchester United after the match between Sporting and Manchester United. During the early 2003, Cristiano Ronaldo wasn't a very good player but he demonstrates a very loyalty to his clubs and his commitment to win a game whether leading or losing. 

After a few months time, Cristiano Ronaldo joined Manchester United and created a name for himself. He scored 118 goals for Manchester United with 292 appearances. He became the highest paid footballer in the world when transferred to Real Madrid. In Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo began to climb as of now he scored a magnificent 208 goals for Real Madrid in 205 appearances.

Cristiano Ronaldo's skills against Manchester United 

in 2003

References: "Cristiano Ronaldo." Cristiano Ronaldo. 28th November 2005, 24th September 2013. Wikipedia. Web. 24th September 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cristiano_Ronaldo>

References: "Sir Alex Ferguson Quotes." Sir Alex Ferguson Best Quotes. 8th May 2013, 8th May 2013. the guardian. Web. 24th September 2013. <http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/may/08/sir-alex-ferguson-best-quotes>

References: "Sir Alex Ferguson Leadership." Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson gives blueprint for success. 10th September 2013, 10th September 2013. theguardian. Web. 24th September 2013. <http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/sep/10/alex-ferguson-manchester-united-blueprint>

Who is Sir Alex Ferguson?

Biography

Sir Alex Ferguson was born on the 31st of December 1941 in Glasgow, Scotland. He started his first debut playing as a striker for Queens Park Rangers at the age of 16 in the late 1958. He then moved to St. Johnstone club in 1940 where he struggled scoring goals for that club.

During the summer of 1964, he joined Dunfermline Athletic where he was nurtured and became professional. He also showed the mind-set of becoming a future manager as he provided his team with tactics to counter the other teams moves and giving instructions on the pitch itself.

Ferguson moved on and joined Rangers F.C in 1967. Unfortunately, his joining in Rangers F.C ended badly with an alleged cup final mistake which caused him to play for the club's juniors side. He then played 4 seasons Falkirk. He ended his playing career in 1974 in Ayr United.

Sir Alex Ferguson when he was young

Manager

At the age of 32, Sir Alex Ferguson began his managing career at East Stirlingshire in 1974. He moved to St. Mirren after a few months and was fired a year later due to breach of contract. He was transferred to Aberdeen later on. Ferguson led Aberdeen to four Scottish Premier League titles, four Scottish Cups, a League cup, a Super cup and a Europeans Cup Winners' Cup  over eight seasons. 

Alex Ferguson then took over an underachieving Manchester United club in November 1986. Ferguson's job as a manager was on the line as he struggled with Manchester United the first few years since he joined the devils, gaining 11th, 13th and 6th place from 1988 to 1991. Ferguson's crowning achievement came in the 1998-'99 season when he became the first manager of a British side to win a treble: the Premier League title, the FA Cup and the European cup. 

It marked the start of a stretch of a stretch in which United won three consecutive Premier League titles and four, in five years. As of 2003, Sir Alex Ferguson was awarded with the Manager of the Decade award by the FIFA association. In December 2010, he surpassed the serving of Sir Matt Busby as a United manager, to become the longest-serving manager in United's history.  Fittingly, he ended his career with a magnificent 19 Premier League championships. 

Sir Alex Ferguson and his final speech in 

Manchester United

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT68Fx11ocw

One of Sir Alex Ferguson happiest moments

References: "Sir Alex Ferguson" Sir Alex Ferguson. 3rd April 2003, 24th September 2013. Wikipedia. Web. 24th September 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Ferguson>