HE is one of the greatest ever football managers, famed for his winning mentality and his ferocious outbursts at players who incurred his displeasure.
Now Sir Alex Ferguson’s famous “hairdryer” could be celebrated in a new Monopoly board for the city of Aberdeen.
Sir Alex is still a legend among fans of Aberdeen FC, whom he led to unprecedented success in the 1980s.
A poll to decide themed Chance and Community Chest cards for a new Monopoly boardgame based on the city has seen calls for the former boss to feature in some way.
One suggestion reads: “Sir Alex Ferguson gives you the hairdryer treatment on a visit back to Aberdeen – blow back three spaces”.
There have also been calls for a miniature bust of the legendary boss to become one of six Aberdeen-themed playing tokens, replacing the traditional Scotty dog, racing car and boot.
Other suggestions include an oil rig, a fish box, a seagull, one of the city’s heraldic leopards and Aberdeen FC mascot, Angus the Bull.
Winning Moves UK, who will make the edition under official licence from Hasbro, recently announced Aberdeen as the next Scottish place to be honoured with a board, following Edinburgh last year.
The city beat Glasgow, Dundee and Inverness, which were also in the running for 2019’s version.
The new board, available in October, will feature 30 city streets and landmarks with Marischal College, Castle Gate, Union Terrace, Aberdeen Town House and Aberdeen Airport among front-runners to “Pass Go”.
The public are also voting for bespoke playing tokens, Chance and Community Chest cards.
Jennifer Lau, Custom Games Executive at Winning Moves UK, said: “The response to our new unique version has been fantastic. We would like to formally thank everyone who has sent in nominations.
“Each and every suggestion will be considered and studied.”
Sir Alex, 77, took over as manager of Aberdeen in 1978 and guided the club to glory in Scotland and in Europe before leaving for Manchester United in 1986.
Recognised as one of the world’s greatest ever football managers, his trophy haul included three Scottish league titles, four Scottish Cups the European Cup Winners’ Cup, in which the Dons defeated Real Madrid in the 1983 final in Gothenburg, and the European Super Cup the same year after they beat European Cup holders Hamburg.
But he had a reputation for delivering verbal volleys at his players so intense they earned the nickname “the hairdryer”, and prompted star player Wayne Rooney to write in his autobiography that there was “nothing worse”.
However, Sir Alex insists he rarely used his full force during his reign and only exploded when his players dared to talk back.
He said: “There was a lot of myth about it. It happened about half a dozen times in 27 years and the players will tell you that. The problem for me was if a player answered me back, I headed towards them. That was my problem.
“I told them exactly the truth and the truth works. All the players understood that and it was never held against me. Then the next day it is pushed aside and I’m prepared to win again. I never ruled by fear.”
Besides Aberdeen, six other Scottish cities - Edinburgh, Perth, Inverness, Dundee, Glasgow and Stirling - have also featured on Monopoly boards.
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