Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted concerns over developing dementia and has spoken about the memories of his late wife, Cathy, in an interview. The 84-year-old has pointed to former boxer Jake LaMotta, who lived to 95, as his inspiration.
Heading the ball and dementia worries
Before his silverware-filled football managerial career, Sir Alex spent 17 years as a professional player in Scotland during the 1950s and 1960s. At those times, the game was played using much heavier leather balls, with studies now finding a link between heading the ball and developing dementia in later life.
Several former professionals have fought the brain disease, and Ferguson has admitted that he does have concerns over developing the disease. He told The Observer: "I worry about that myself because I headed the ball a lot. All footballers did."
"Dementia's a challenge for anyone getting older. You worry about it a lot. I always say to myself: 'I'm 84 [laughing]. If I get to 85, I'll be all right.'"
Brother Martin and a Glasgow property
It's a subject that is already close to home, with his brother Martin currently living with the condition. Speaking about him, Sir Alex said: "He recognises me, which is great."
Martin's situation has prompted the former United manager to purchase a property in Glasgow, both to remain close to his brother and to "make sure Cathy's memorial is being looked after and is in good shape".
Reflections on Cathy
Sir Alex has been without his beloved wife Cathy for several years, and he also reflects warmly on her presence throughout his career and the qualities he cherished in her. He said: "Fifty-nine years is a long time. There was a huge religious part of Cathy, and she always regarded herself as a wife and mother."
"She never involved herself in my life as a manager. Never complained about it, because she knew it was my job. A fantastic wife, and for the boys – brilliant."
"She was a great judge of people. Very careful with people who wanted to be friendly with me. She never made it here [to his current house]. We got married on the Saturday morning and I played in the afternoon."
Memory, recovery, and a new book
Sir Alex rarely speaks in public, though he has previously addressed dementia, revealing that completing quizzes helps maintain his mental sharpness. He said: "I'm 82, obviously I worry about it. Generally my memory is quite good, pray the lord and touch wood it will stay that way. But I worry about it, 100%. I would be lying if I said anything different."
"I read a lot, I do quizzes a lot and I think that helps. You have those YouTube quizzes, 100 questions, and I think if I don't get to 70% I'm struggling."
Sir Alex has previously faced health challenges, suffering a brain haemorrhage in 2018 that needed emergency surgery. He reflected on that experience recently while promoting his forthcoming book, 'Games of My Life', in which he examines the 21 pivotal matches of his illustrious career.
On his recuperation, he told BBC Breakfast: "I had lost my voice; I couldn't speak. That was a frightening moment. I remember my grandsons coming to see me and I had lost my voice."
"Then they brought in a therapist and she started doing things like asking me to write down the names of birds, names of animals, names of rivers. That way my voice came back."
He made his emotional return to Old Trafford four months after undergoing the operation and, despite receiving a tremendous reception, confessed he had felt apprehensive in the build-up. "I was terrified, actually," he said: "I wish I could say I was comfortable. I wasn't. My wife was with me, and she was nearly crying. When we sat down, she said 'that's fantastic'."
