SIR Alex Ferguson nearly broke his arm during one of his infamous “hairdryer” rants, a former footballer has revealed.
Retired Romanian striker Marin Radu II said the legendary manager flew into a rage as Romanian side FC Argeș Pitești thrashed Aberdeen during the 1981 UEFA Cup.
AlamyFormer Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson watches his team in action[/caption]
Sir Alex Ferguson in 1981 when Aberdeen went up against Romanian side FC Argeș PiteștiGetty
TwitterFormer Romanian striker Marin Radu II revealed how he heard one of Fergie’s worst ‘hairdryer’ blasts[/caption]
The former Manchester United gaffer was renowned for his close-up screaming and spitting outbursts – including infamously injuring David Beckham’s eye.
As FC Argeș Pitești were leading 2-0 at half-time, Marin said Fergie, 81 – who managed Aberdeen between 1978 and 1986 – “couldn’t believe what was happening”.
He smashed a huge pot of tea and nearly broke his own arm as he hurled a tray of mugs against the wall of the locker room, Marin said.
FC Argeș could hear Fergie’s fit of rage from the room next door, he added.
Marin, 67, told The Sun: “I could hear all the sounds of broken tea cups and the loud voice of Sir Alex Ferguson, it was quite an unexpected half-time.
“It was very clear that in the locker room of Aberdeen that the atmosphere was very tense.
“And the fact that Sir Alex Ferguson was very upset was quite understandable, even if he smashed those tea cups.
“Our team had a great first half, was leading 2-0 and was close to score another goals.
“I think Sir Alex Ferguson could not believe what was happening on the field, as his team was the favourite and FC Arges seemed to win against all odds.
“But in the end the nervous reactions of Sir Alex Ferguson had a result, the draw, the comeback of Aberdeen.”
Aberdeen pulled it back in the second half and the game ended 2-2.
Aberdeen qualified for the third round of UEFA Cup, losing against the Germans from Hamburger SV.
Marin – who played for the Romanian national team seven times – claimed Sir Alex wanted him to transfer to Aberdeen, which he said would have been a “huge honour”.
”I really do not know exactly why my transfer was not made,” he said.
“Sir Alex Ferguson did not contact me personally, he and Aberdeen officials talked with my club and representatives of the Romanian Football Federation.
“I found after some weeks that Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to transfer me to Aberdeen.
“It would have been a huge honour for me to play for Aberdeen and be coached by Sir Alex Ferguson.”
Fergie was known for going up to players’ faces and kicking items around during both individual and team-wide “hairdryer” rants.
And he’s held up his hands to the most infamous outburst – when he kicked a boot which hit Beckham’s eye after the winger swore following an FA Cup defeat against Arsenal.
Ronaldo ended up getting stick from his team-mates after bursting into tears after being on the receiving end of a “hairdryer” – a word Fergie hated when it was first coined.
The 13-time Premier League-winning manager said: “I didn’t like it at the time.
“But now you have to admit the comedy part.
“I could be really angry or volatile, but it was over and the players knew that and never brought it up again. They never bore a grudge.
“It was all over in the dressing room. The more important part is to tell the truth.”
GettyFergie was infamous for his ‘hairdryer’ dressing room rants[/caption]