BBC To Honour Sir Alex

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will be honoured with a special Diamond Award at Sunday's BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards. This award marks the 60th Year of BBC Sports Personality.

Sir Alex guided the Reds to a 13th Premier League trophy in May this year to further strengthen his position as the most decorated manager in British football history. After leading Aberdeen to unprecedented success, he went on to win a total of 38 trophies in his 26 years in charge at Old Trafford.

As well as the 13 league titles, he also won the Champions League twice, the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, five FA Cups and four League Cups. In 1999, he delivered a unique treble of the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League. Sir Alex retired in May after 1,500 games in charge of United but remains at the club as director.

In addition to all the silverware he won, Sir Alex is credited with developing the careers of some of football’s most famous talents, including David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Eric Cantona, Mark Hughes, Gary Neville, Paul Ince and Bryan Robson.

BBC Sport director Barbara Slater says: “Sir Alex Ferguson’s achievements are unique. We want to honour and recognise this by celebrating his final incredible year as a manager with this special award.

"Sir Alex won the Lifetime Achievement award in 2001 after claiming some of the most sought-after trophies in the football world. The fact that his success continued for a further decade and more afterwards makes his achievements all the more remarkable. He is someone who has earned the respect of so many both in and outside of football, regardless of their footballing allegiances.”