In 1979, Sir Alex Ferguson, then managing Aberdeen, faced off against Frankfurt in a UEFA Cup tie, losing 2-1 on aggregate.
Decades later, Frankfurt met Aberdeen again in this season’s Europa Conference League group stage, visiting Ferguson prior to their 2-0 defeat at Pittodrie in December.
In a gesture of respect, Frankfurt announced Ferguson as their newest lifetime club member.
Reflecting on his past encounters with Frankfurt, Ferguson acknowledged their superiority, particularly recalling their second-leg defeat in Frankfurt where Bernd Holzenbein’s goal knocked Aberdeen out of the competition.
This experience taught Ferguson a crucial lesson about player conduct abroad, prompting him to enforce stricter discipline to prevent similar post-game incidents in the future.
As a proud Scotsman and former Scotland national team manager, Ferguson eagerly anticipates Scotland’s Euro 2024 opener against host nation Germany.
When asked about Scotland’s chances against Germany, Ferguson jokingly dismissed any hope for a Scottish victory.
Nonetheless, he expressed excitement to witness the match and highlighted Scotland’s strengths, particularly in midfield and full-back positions, despite historical challenges in finding quality strikers.
Ferguson reminisced about the passionate Scottish fans, recalling a memorable encounter during the 1990 World Cup in Italy when he encountered Scottish supporters grilling on a double-decker bus adorned with their town and football club’s kilts.
This anecdote exemplifies the vibrant spirit and camaraderie among Scottish football enthusiasts, a sentiment Ferguson greatly appreciates.
While Ferguson won’t don the traditional kilt himself at the European Championships, he eagerly anticipates the tournament’s atmosphere and the opportunity to witness Scotland’s passionate supporters in action.
