Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has spoken about the fear and uncertainty he experienced after suffering a brain haemorrhage in May 2018, revealing how the loss of his speech became one of the most frightening moments of his recovery.
Ferguson, who underwent emergency surgery following the medical emergency, shared the experience in a recent interview with BBC Breakfast while reflecting on his life, football career and a new book recounting important matches from his playing and managerial years.
The former Scottish manager said he initially feared the consequences of being unable to speak after the operation. Recalling a visit from his grandsons during his recovery, he explained that he suddenly found himself unable to get words out, leaving him worried about whether his speech and memory would return.
“I had lost my voice; I couldn't speak,” Ferguson recalled, describing the experience as frightening.
A speech therapist subsequently began working with him through exercises designed to help him regain his ability to communicate. Ferguson said she asked him to write down names of birds, animals and rivers as part of the process.
“That way my voice came back,” he said, reflecting on the treatment that helped him recover his speech.
The health scare also affected how Ferguson approached his return to Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium. Four months after the emergency surgery, he attended a Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers with his wife, Cathy.
Although Ferguson had spent more than two decades managing the club and had become one of the most recognisable figures in English football, he admitted that he was nervous about returning to the stadium and facing the reaction of supporters.
“I wish I could say I was comfortable. I wasn't,” he said.
Ferguson and his wife received a standing ovation from supporters when they took their seats in the directors' box. He recalled how emotional the moment was for Cathy, who was close to tears as the crowd welcomed them.
The experience offered a different perspective on a figure widely associated with fierce determination and demanding standards during his time in football management. His recollections showed how the medical emergency had exposed him to a period of uncertainty far removed from the pressure of leading one of Europe's most prominent football clubs.
Ferguson retired from Manchester United in 2013 after 26 years in charge. During that period, he won 13 Premier League titles and two UEFA Champions League trophies, among numerous other honours. His managerial career also included a successful spell at Aberdeen in Scotland, where he won domestic trophies and the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1983.
His latest reflections form part of Games of My Life, a book exploring 21 defining matches from his career, from his early playing days in Glasgow to major moments during his time at Manchester United.
Now approaching his 85th birthday, Ferguson said he was feeling quite good despite some minor injuries. His account of the haemorrhage adds a personal dimension to his public legacy, illustrating the difficulties he faced away from the touchline and the role of medical support and family during his recovery.
Ferguson's comments revisit an event that took place more than eight years ago, but his willingness to discuss the experience provides further insight into the personal challenges behind one of football's most celebrated managerial careers.
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