Hardline manager Alex Ferguson. Photo / AP
Alex Ferguson believes his no-nonsense approach to enforcing team discipline may have prevented even more English Premier League silverware finding its way to Old Trafford during his 27 years in charge of Manchester United.
Ferguson won 13 league titles in charge of the Red Devils but his tenure was also
marked by some high-profile bust-ups with senior players such as Paul Ince, David Beckham, Roy Keane, Jaap Stam and Ruud van Nistelrooy, who all left the club before the Scot.
"People will give a manager plenty of opportunities to crack the whip so it's best to pick and choose your moments," Ferguson wrote in his new book, Leading, due out later this month.
"You don't have to dish out a punishment very often before everyone gets the message.
"I place discipline above all else and it might have cost us several titles. But if I had to repeat things, I'd do it precisely the same," added Ferguson, who before his time with United enjoyed domestic and European success with Scottish club Aberdeen. Ferguson had a major falling out with Ince during the 1994-95 season, when United failed to win the title, labelling him a "bottler" and a "big-time Charlie".
