Sir Alex Ferguson Quotes on Success, born December 31, 1941, in Glasgow, Scotland, is a former football manager and one of the most successful figures in sports history. Managing Manchester United from 1986 to 2013, he won 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League titles, and five FA Cups, while his earlier tenure at Aberdeen delivered three Scottish titles and a European Cup Winners’ Cup. Knighted in 1999, Ferguson’s relentless pursuit of excellence and ability to build winning teams defined his legacy. These 15 quotes on success—sourced from his books, interviews, press conferences, and posts on X—reveal his principles of discipline, ambition, preparation, and resilience, offering timeless insights for achieving greatness.
15 Sir Alex Ferguson Quotes on Success
- “Once you bid farewell to discipline you say goodbye to success.” (Leading: Lessons in leadership from the legendary Manchester United manager, 2015)
- “I’ve never played for a draw in my life.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “The key is to never let the flame of ambition die out. Keep it burning, and it will carry you further than talent alone.” (Leading: Lessons in leadership from the legendary Manchester United manager, 2015)
- “You learn more from defeats than you do from victories.” (Leading: Learning from Life and My Years at Manchester United, 2015)
- “I’m a strong believer in preparation—control what you can control, and the rest will follow.” (Leading: Lessons in leadership from the legendary Manchester United manager, 2015)
- “You don’t get the best out of people by hitting them with an iron rod. You do so by gaining their respect, getting them accustomed to triumphs.” (Leading: Learning from Life and My Years at Manchester United, 2015)
- “I tell the players that the bus is moving. This club has to progress. And the bus wouldn’t wait for them. I tell them to get on board.” (Leading: Learning from Life and My Years at Manchester United, 2015)
- “I lost nine finals at Aberdeen and Manchester United. Nine finals. And you know what it does? The next morning I was a better manager. You have to handle defeat in the correct way.” (Q&A with Manchester United youth players, Post on X, @centredevils, 2025-02-20)
- “If you give in once, you’ll give in twice.” (Leading: Learning from Life and My Years at Manchester United, 2015)
- “David Beckham is Britain’s finest striker of a football not because of God-given talent but because he practises with a relentless application that the vast majority of less gifted players wouldn’t contemplate.” (Interview, The Guardian, 2011)
- “There is no room for criticism on the training field. For a player—and for any human being—there is nothing better than hearing ‘well done’. Those are the two best words ever invented in sports.” (Interview, Reddit r/reddevils, 2019)
- “My greatest challenge is not what’s happening at the moment, my greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool right off their f***ing perch. And you can print that.” (Interview, The Guardian, 2011)
- “I always felt that our triumphs were an expression of the consistent application of discipline and teamwork.” (Leading: Lessons in leadership from the legendary Manchester United manager, 2015)
- “You can’t win all the time, but you can show character and fight. That’s what I demand from my players.” (Interview, AwakenTheGreatnessWithin, n.d.)
- “Losing is a powerful management tool so long as it does not become a habit.” (Leading: Lessons in leadership from the legendary Manchester United manager, 2015)
Sir Alex Ferguson’s quotes on success are a masterclass in discipline, resilience, and relentless ambition, inspiring anyone to harness preparation, learn from setbacks, and chase victory with unwavering focus. Which quote drives you to redefine your own success? Share it below and keep Ferguson’s winning legacy alive!
Emma Thompson
Hi, I'm Emma Thompson, founder of MyLittleDesire. I share relationship advice, love quotes, and thoughtful gift ideas to help you express your feelings and strengthen your bonds. Let's celebrate love together!
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