Fergie - Players are too fragile

Red Devils boss describes changes during his career

By James Riach   Last updated: 19th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Fergie - Players are too fragile

Ferguson: Laments 'fragile' players

They are less likely to hold their hands up and say they're at fault for things. If you go back 30 years ago you had a player who had a certain pride and responsibility in their own performance.

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has described the archetypal modern footballer as 'fragile'.

The United boss has been a manager since he took control of East Stirling in 1974, and during his 35-year coaching career he has had to deal with changing player personalities.

Ferguson has had famous run-ins with the likes of Andrei Kanchelskis, Jaap Stam and David Beckham, with all three leaving Old Trafford after falling out of favour.

The Red Devils tactician admitted that the modern player is not comparable to when he started off in management, and lamented the change that has seen honest professionals turn into pampered superstars.

"It's a different player character we've got today," he said. "The players are more fragile than players of 25 years ago.

"They are more cocooned today by their agents or the press they receive at times.

"They are less likely to hold their hands up and say they're at fault for things. If you go back 30 years ago you had a player who had a certain pride and responsibility in their own performance.

"They were less protected so they could come in and say 'Hands up, it was my fault, blah, blah, blah'. And that was good.

"But today they are very protected. They are more fragile than ever. That's a lot to do with the type of people who protect them, agents."

Agents

Ferguson added that agents shoulder a big portion of the blame when it comes to the change in players' attitudes, as they conduct the majority of transfers nowadays.

"We had a young boy get in the England Under-21s," he added.

"His agent phoned up the next day and said, 'I think it's time we sat down for a new contract for the boy'.

"In his mind he thought that demanded a new contract. I said, 'Let's see how he plays for Manchester United'.

"But that's the way the world is now. When you think they (agents) are conducting most transfers now, it's not right."

The Red Devils boss also thinks the mindset of the modern fan has also changed dramatically, as the paying public become much more involved in the game.

"See the culture of the fans today," he said. "They are over the fence, screaming and bawling. It's a different time.

"You can understand why chairmen react quickly and get rid of their manager."

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