Sir Alex Ferguson did remarkably well to battle through his 29-year managerial career with very few regrets to look back on. The Scottish icon is the most successful manager in football history, having won 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies, among many other accolades.
From signing a young Roy Keane from Nottingham Forest to acquiring the future best player in world football, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ferguson rarely made a mistake in the transfer market. His nose for talent was unmatched, as the Manchester United figurehead constantly brought in extremely talented players and made them even better.
However, there is one failed transfer that sticks in the mind of the now 83-year-old. In the final weeks of his career in the Old Trafford dugout, Fergie admitted he was wrong to pass up on signing one of the biggest icons of English football.
Sir Alex Ferguson Passed Up Chance to Sign ‘Phenomenal’ Icon
‘I have regretted not doing the deal ever since’
Speaking in May 2013 – shortly before officially retiring from the game – Ferguson was effusive in his praise for Chelsea legend Frank Lampard. The Englishman is the highest-scoring midfielder in Premier League history and is also Chelsea’s record talisman.
Lampard moved to Stamford Bridge from West Ham United in 2001 as a promising youngster, but Ferguson revealed he had the opportunity to make him join the Red Devils instead. Praising the goal-getting midfielder, while also admitting his regret at passing up the deal, the ex-Aberdeen boss said (per The Mirror):
“Lampard is fantastic, he’s an incredible player. If he gets to the 202-goal record at Chelsea, it will be a fantastic achievement. I don’t think there will be another midfield player who will do that again.
“I looked at him when he was at West Ham as a young player – and I have regretted not doing the deal ever since. Where else could I have got 200 goals from midfield?”
He even went as far as comparing the retired England international to a United icon, continuing: “Lampard is quite phenomenal. He has the great knack that Bryan Robson had of timing when to arrive in the box. John Wark at Ipswich was another one. They can time their runs – and that has brought Frank more than 200 goals.”
Lampard wasn’t only extremely efficient, either, as the Blues legend rarely ever missed a game. He racked up over 900 club appearances over his career, as Ferguson added: “On top of that, I can’t ever remember him being injured. That part of it is down to luck, but he has had a great career, all right.”
Frank Lampard’s Highest Ballon d’Or Finish
He once finished above Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo may have been the jewel in Man United’s crown during the latter half of Ferguson’s Old Trafford tenure, but the Portuguese superstar finished below Lampard in the 2005 Ballon d’Or. This may have been the first time Ferguson started to truly regret missing out.
Ronaldo did, of course, go on to lift the Golden Ball a remarkable five times, but only finished 20th in the 2005 rankings, while his English counterpart came within touching distance of winning the prestigious individual honour, finishing second to Brazilian icon Ronaldinho.
