Fergie's Hairdryer Was a Badge of Honour, Says Departing Mirror Reporter
After a remarkable quarter of a century covering the fortunes of Manchester United and Manchester City, the Daily Mirror's chief Manchester football correspondent, David McDonnell, is stepping down from his role. His tenure, spanning 25 years, nearly matches the legendary 26-and-a-half-year reign of Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, a period McDonnell was privileged to witness firsthand.
The Fergie Experience: Bans and Banter
Dealing with Sir Alex Ferguson, often hailed as the greatest manager of all time, was a unique and challenging experience for any journalist. McDonnell recalls that press conference bans and blasts from Fergie's infamous 'hairdryer' temper were regular occupational hazards. In fact, he notes that if you hadn't been banned by Ferguson at some point, you weren't considered to be doing your job properly.
Despite his fierce public persona, Ferguson had a lighter, more playful side. After leading United to the Premier League title in 2013 before his retirement, he surprised reporters by pouring champagne at a press conference. However, true to form, he delivered a classic Fergie sting in the tail, waiting until everyone had taken a sip before quipping, "Don't worry, I've got the police waiting at the end of the road to breathalyse you all!"
On another occasion, when the Mirror reported a spy plane flying low over United's training ground to gather tactical intelligence, Ferguson couldn't resist a humorous dig. When McDonnell asked about the plane, Ferguson burst into laughter, using his hands as flying goggles and saying, "I saw you flying it. I could see you up there - Biggles McDonnell! Biggles of the Mirror!"
The Rise of Manchester City and Unforgettable Moments
As Ferguson's reign at United drew to a close, a new era was dawning across Manchester. Manchester City emerged from the shadow of their more illustrious neighbours to begin a period of domestic domination. Under the peerless management of Pep Guardiola, City emulated United's historic 1999 Treble triumph by winning their own Treble in 2023.
For sheer drama, McDonnell highlights Sergio Aguero's iconic 94th-minute winner for City against QPR in the 2011-12 season. That last-gasp goal snatched the Premier League title from local rivals United on goal difference, with the Red Devils already celebrating what they thought was another famous triumph.
When asked about the best game he covered, McDonnell finds it a tough choice given the many epic encounters. However, he points to the breathless Manchester derby of 2009, where Michael Owen's added-time goal sealed a dramatic 4-3 victory for United at Old Trafford. After that match, Ferguson famously branded City the "noisy neighbours."
Iconic Goals and a Fond Farewell
Selecting the best goal is equally challenging, but McDonnell mentions two standout strikes. For sheer audacity and technical brilliance, he cites Wayne Rooney's spectacular 35-yard volley against Newcastle in 2005. He also recalls Cristiano Ronaldo's bullet header away to Roma in 2008, a goal that still leaves him in awe of how Ronaldo managed to cover so much ground to reach the ball.
After more than 1,000 games at home and abroad, six World Cups, three European Championships, 23 pre-season tours, and half a dozen bans from Ferguson, McDonnell feels the time has come to say farewell. He expresses gratitude to readers for following his work over the past two-and-a-half decades, describing it as an incredible ride filled with unforgettable memories.
