Sir Alex Ferguson was seconds from becoming Tottenham Manager

Sir Alex Ferguson, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur — a reality we never got to see but imagined had happened.

In modern times, when the name Manchester United is mentioned, a lot of rival fans think of the banter era the club has become, with Sir Alex Ferguson era almost fading from memory.

That is how the game is, it rests on the bias of the present rather than dwell on past eras or lost glory.

However, speaking of past eras and lost glories, Manchester United’s era of dominance was seconds from being non-existent had something not crept into Sir Alex Ferguson’s thoughts to change his mind towards another job.

It is revealed that during the height of the Scottish legend’s career in the Scottish league, he had agreed to a move to North London club, Tottenham Hotspur, which most certainly would have made his eventual rivalry with Arsene Wenger a very personal London derby than a title rivalry like it had become during his time at Manchester United.

Tottenham Hotspur had identified Ferguson as the ideal candidate to succeed Peter Shreeves as manager at White Hart Lane.

In a surprising twist, Ferguson had even sealed the deal with a handshake alongside then-Spurs chairman Irving Scholar and co-owner Paul Bobroff during a meeting in Paris.

It appeared that a new era was about to dawn in North London.

Yet, fate had different plans. Sir Alex Ferguson ultimately chose to join Manchester United in 1986, a decision that would reverberate through the annals of football history, transforming the landscape of the sport.

But why did Ferguson spurn the opportunity to manage Tottenham Hotspur?

The answer lies with a key figure in his life – his wife, Cathy Ferguson.

According to author Alex Fynn, a former director of Satchi & Satchi, in his book “Still Dreaming,” all aspects of the contract had been agreed upon, and Spurs’ directors were unanimous in their enthusiasm for Ferguson.

However, Mrs. Ferguson was not enthusiastic about relocating to London, and that single factor played a pivotal role in reshaping football history.

The book “Still Dreaming” also delves into a conversation between former Manchester United chairman Martin Edwards and Irving Scholar regarding Sir Alex Ferguson’s monumental decision.

It recounts how Edwards initially doubted Scholar’s account but, upon approaching Ferguson for clarification, was met with silence and averted gazes.

Eventually, Edwards acknowledged Scholar’s veracity, acknowledging that the astonishing turn of events had indeed transpired.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s subsequent tenure at Manchester United spanned an illustrious 27 years, during which he amassed a staggering collection of trophies, including 13 Premier League titles among numerous other honors.

What would have been had Sir Alex Ferguson not managed Manchester United and instead crossed over to the White Hart Lane? Would it have had a domino effect on Tottenham or more on Manchester United and Arsenal?

Would Manchester United rather have become the Tottenham Hotspur, and Tottenham vs. Arsenal, the El Clasico of the premier league?