Legendary managers Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson have been inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame. With Manchester United and Arsenal, respectively, they forged one of the most famous rivalries in Premier League history, winning a combined 16 Premier League titles. Since the Premier League’s creation in 1992, the Hall of Fame has recognized and celebrated individuals who have demonstrated outstanding achievement and have made important contributions to the league. This is the League’s highest individual distinction. Sir Alex Ferguson is the most successful manager in Premier League history, having won the title 13 times in a row on two consecutive occasions.
During a remarkable 27-year career at Old Trafford that included 21 Premier League seasons, his Manchester United side won the first Premier League title in 1992/93, delivering the club’s first league triumph since 1967 and kicking off a historic era of success. Throughout his tenure, the United squad was rebuilt multiple times, with a focus on developing outstanding domestic talent, most notably the ‘Class of ’92,’ as well as a slew of international superstars. In 2012/13, he won his final Premier League championship. Ferguson has already had six players inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame: David Beckham, Eric Cantona, Roy Keane, Wayne Rooney, Peter Schmeichel, and Paul Scholes.
Sir Alex holds the Premier League record with 528 wins from 810 games and 1,752 points. He was selected manager of the season 11 times and monthly award winner 27 times.
“I’m overjoyed to have been inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame. It’s an honor to be recognized in this way. But it isn’t just about me as a person. It’s about my job at Manchester United and the bond we’ve had over the years, so I’m also proud of the club, the staff, and my players,” Sir Alex Ferguson said after he was inducted with Arsene Wenger. “My job was to make sure the supporters went home satisfied. The history of United and my personal aspirations motivated me, and I then had to attempt to develop all of my players with the same expectations and make sure we could go out and achieve them.”
“Arsene Wenger is a deserving inductee in my opinion, having completely altered Arsenal Football Club. They became a difficult squad to battle against, and we both wanted to win, which spurred us even more,” he added. “In the years following his retirement, we’d go out to supper at a small restaurant in Switzerland that he knows well. He’s a fascinating man, and I love his company, but it’s still my responsibility to choose the wine!”
Wenger’s 22-year tenure as Arsenal’s manager is a Premier League record. He won the Premier League three times and created history in 2003/04 when he led ‘The Invincibles to the title while remaining unbeaten throughout the season. When Wenger arrived in the Premier League as one of the first foreign managers in 1996, his effect was immediate and tremendous. He boosted standards with a novel football philosophy and a commitment to playing attractive, aggressive football, winning the league title in his first full season with the club in 1997/98.
Wenger led an astute transfer strategy that included researching talent abroad, which resulted in the recruitment of fellow Hall of Fame members Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira. Wenger has a Premier League record of 828 games managed, with 476 victories and 199 draws. In 1998, 2002, and 2004, he was named manager of the year.
“I am honored to be inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame. We’ve always tried to deliver something special to the fans, and when you have players who are capable of extraordinary things, the most important thing for me is the commitment to excellence,” he added. “I’d like to be remembered as someone who loved Arsenal, respected its ideals, and left it in a position to grow and become even greater. It is a wonderful honor for me to share this with Sir Alex. It’s like two boxers fighting furiously and going the distance together. After all, you have his respect, and it will be a perfect occasion to meet with him, drink a good bottle of wine, and reminisce about our past battles.”
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