On March 29, former Manchester United and Arsenal managers Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger were inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame as the league’s inaugural managers. Beginning in the 1990s, the two men engaged in a heated rivalry during which they split 16 English Premier League championships.
The 81-year-old Ferguson is the most successful manager in Premier League history after leading Manchester United to 13 trophies. The 63-year-old Wenger led Arsenal to three titles, including an undefeated 2003–04 campaign.
United’s first league title since 1967 came under Ferguson, who led the club for almost 26 years and won the first Premier League championship in 1992–1993. Moreover, Ferguson has had six players (David Beckham, Eric Cantona, Roy Keane, Wayne Rooney, Peter Schmeichel, and Paul Scholes) inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.
Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson both inducted into the Hall Of Fame
Wenger joined Arsenal in 1996 as one of the league’s first non-British managers and remained there until 2018. The Frenchman introduced cutting-edge ideas to the English game, including an emphasis on nutrition and sports science.
In his first full season with the club, 1997–198, they won the Premier League because of his dedication to playing beautiful, offensive football. Wenger directed a shrewd transfer policy, one that included extensive international scouting for players like Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira, both of whom are now in the Hall of Fame.
“It’s an honour when you receive recognition like this,” said Ferguson, who retired in 2013 after winning his 13th title.
“However, it’s not just about me as a person. It’s about the job at Manchester United and the bond we had over many years, so I’m also proud for the club, the staff and my players,” he added.
Wenger said: “To share this with Sir Alex is a great honour for me. It’s like two boxers — you fight like mad and go the distance together. At the end of the day, you have respect and it will be a great opportunity to meet with him, share a good bottle of wine and memories of our old battles.”
Executive director of the Premier League Richard Masters said that the two managers had guided their teams to “unparalleled heights of achievement.”
Twitter Reacts:
These are the gods of football https://t.co/QQFzHvOkON
— No one (@Thapelo24) March 29, 2023
Heritage 🙏 https://t.co/muXVNNh9yZ
— KZA⚡🀄 (@karimugen) March 29, 2023
SAF should’ve been the first even before any player #GOAT𓃵 https://t.co/YBSPHHWsWN
— Runey (@Runey_MUFC) March 29, 2023
This is like a thousand years late already. Worthy gentlemen! https://t.co/eUHgLuij4J
— Dr. X (@DeboyeIfaturoti) March 29, 2023
It's so funny that for years now, I always thought they were already inducted into the hall of fame. #legends https://t.co/PlKcvmnr1S
— Frank Edoho (@frankedoho) March 29, 2023
They deserve it 👌🏾💯 https://t.co/J3DdkpZV5L
— $tephCurti$ 92i (@SC92i) March 29, 2023
https://twitter.com/UTD_Arne/status/1641058646535593988?s=20
As it should be. Legends. https://t.co/vB5aOUNixY
— David Demain (@avide94) March 29, 2023
As it should be. Legends. https://t.co/vB5aOUNixY
— David Demain (@avide94) March 29, 2023
Y’all don’t understand how important Wenger was for English football https://t.co/dPgKykDC0u
— Big Bank (@Bank0le) March 29, 2023
Masterminds!! https://t.co/LjYqrwhGYs
— Clifton Ruga (@clifton_ruga) March 29, 2023
