Ferguson and Cantona — Vulnerability and Strength

Eric Cantona’s famous pose of celebration after his greatest goal

Eric Cantona played for Manchester United from 1992–1997. One of the greatest football players I have ever seen. Majestic, commanding, sublimely skilled. A leader, a talisman, a game-changer.

He was also, when he joined, thought to be mercurial, a maverick, unmanageable, yet in Sir Alex Ferguson he met the greatest football manager of all time and someone who worked with him brilliantly.

Alex Ferguson was known to be one of the very toughest football managers, yet the letter he wrote to Cantona after he retired from football displayed open-ness and vulnerability, giving an inside view as to what truly powered Ferguson’s management of his team. Or, should I say, his leadership. After all, a football “manager” can’t be on the pitch to play and inspire, can’t score the goals to win the matches. Cantona certainly did both.

Today, that letter, my thoughts on what leaders can learn from it, as well as some background on Sir Alex Ferguson and videos showcasing the sublime Eric Cantona.

Sir Alex Ferguson

This letter from Sir Alex Ferguson he published in his book Leading. I love to learn elite lessons from sports for business leadership, this book is highly recommended…