25 years since Sir Alex Ferguson left Aberdeen

The reign of Aberdeen FC's best-loved manager came to an end 25 years ago.

Sir Alex Ferguson gave up his post in the north-east to take over as new boss of Manchester United on November 7, 1986, replacing Ron Atkinson.

The announcement followed 24 hours of feverish speculation in the Granite City that Sir Alex's time at Pittodrie Stadium was coming to an end.

Journalist Bryan Cooney was the first reporter to track down Sir Alex and the Manchester United delegation at their top secret hotel hideaway.

"My first words to Alex, I said "Alex, am I now speaking to the new manager of Manchester United?", and the smile confirmed that he was."

Sir Alex presided over a successful eight years in charge of the Aberdeen team, winning ten major trophies including the European Cup Winners Cup in 1983, beating Real Madrid in the final.

Craig Brown, current Aberdeen manager, said: "I think I'm the twelfth guy following him and we're all suffering from the great success.

"I put "suffering" in inverted commas, because I think it's wonderful that Aberdeen had that success."

Sir Alex has continued that success in Manchester, amassing 37 major trophies during a glory-laden quarter of a century at Old Trafford.

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