Sir Alex Ferguson has described his glorious 25 years as manager of Manchester United Football Club as a 'fairytale'. The Scottish gaffer celebrates his 25th year in charge of the world's biggest sports club on Sunday, November 6th 2011, having taken over the reigns from Ron Atkinson on Thursday, November 6th 1986. Fergie has since lifted an astounding 37 trophies in his 25 year period in charge of The Red Devils, 1½ titles per year average !...

The 69-year-old turns 70 on the last day of 2011, and it is clear the boss still has the sheer hunger and drive to win more and more. Last season, Sir Alex guided United to the the biggest success in the history of the football club, coming in the form of The Red's record 19th domestic league title - becoming the most decorated footie team in Premier League history. This campaign, the 2011 FA Community Shield was added to the bulging silverware cabinet. 
 

Sir Fergie reminisced: "It's been a really fantastic spell for me and something you don't think is going to happen. It's been a bit of a fairytale to last so long and I appreciate that. I've been very fortunate to have some of the best players in the game and, when I look back on these players I think about how fortunate I am. It's incredible when you look at who's been here... Bryan Robson, Norman Whiteside, Brian McClair, Mark Hughes, Paul Ince, Roy Keane, Eric Cantona...."

"What a collection of fantastic players. It's hard to think I actually controlled all these players for so long. Today, we have so many players with different personalities from different cultures." He added: "I'll continue as long as I feel healthy enough to do it. In management, things change as the years go on. It's different now even to seven or eight years ago. A lot of things have changed." United host Sunderland at Old Trafford on Saturday, a day before the 25th anniversary. 

Sign the online tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson !