An interview with Fergie from today's Mirror
SIR ALEX Ferguson has no intention of curbing his famous 'hairdryer' treatment that has reduced players to quivering wrecks during his 20-year reign at Manchester United.
In a fascinating insight into his management techniques, Fergie revealed he still strikes fear into some of his United youngsters and admitted he cannot help but give his players both barrels after a game if they have lost or played poorly.
"On a Saturday after a game, if you've not won or not played well, it's important to get the message across because winning's important at our club," said Fergie.
"With the preparation we give the players every week, nobody ever gets criticised in training. Everything is positive, so, therefore, on Saturday you expect a result.
"So, I always believe in telling them right after the game. I'm not interested in this 'wait until Monday' attitude. I remember an old manager of mine saying that, but I can't do it. I've no time for Monday, I'm already thinking ahead."
Despite his fearsome streak, the United boss, who has just celebrated winning his ninth Premiership title, admitted he sees himself as a father figure to many of his players, although he acknowledged some of them still fear him.
"The fact I've been here for 20 years, the longest serving manager since Sir Matt Busby, I think you take on that kind of role," added Fergie.
"But I do think some of the younger ones are a bit afraid of me, just because of who I am. They see me as if I'm sitting up there in my ivory tower, which is not the case." Despite hitting 65 last New Year's Eve and after two decades in the Old Trafford hot-seat, Fergie still retains a remarkable enthusiasm for his job and is one of the first into the gym at United's training ground every morning.
"I do cardiovascular work, because that's important," said Fergie "I do 15 minutes on the treadmill, 10 minutes on the bike, five minutes on the rowing machine. The bike is the hardest one - 10 minutes is enough.
"Chocolate biscuits are my weakness. Caramel wafers, KitKats and Jaffa Cakes. When I go on holiday I try to be sensible on the eating side. But sometimes you feel like saying 'let's have some pasta, a good salad and a good bottle of wine'."
He also talked of his privileges in Scotland.
"In Aberdeen I'm allowed to graze my sheep in the High Street," he revealed. "And in Glasgow, if I'm ever arrested, I get my own private cell, which would be handy with some of the villains there. And in Manchester, I can park my cow in the High Street."
And although he misses his native Scotland, Fergie - who has says he will carry on at United for at least another two years - insisted he has no intention of returning north of the border once he retires.
"I miss Scotland," he said. "It's a fantastic country, but my home is in England and that's where I'll be now. You have to be where your family want you to be, and all my grandchildren were born in England.