Paul Gascoigne says he was the unexpected beneficiary of the infamous Fergie hairdryer treatment – more than 30 YEARS after turning down the iconic Old Trafford boss.
The ex-Rangers, Lazio and England midfielder had actually turned down the chance to join the Red Devils during his glittering career although not many players ignored the advances of Sir Alex Ferguson and the alluring pull of Old Trafford in that era.
However Gazza did snub them to join Spurs from Newcastle in 1988 – just before Fergie turned United into one of the greatest teams of the modern era with a largesse of trophies. If they get on the wrong side of him, The legendary Scot was renowned even in his heydays for his tempestuous ripostes and furious outbursts to bring players to their knees.
Indeed, David Beckham was one such victim when he famously had a boot hurled at him across a changing room during one heated blow-up with the Scot. That incident was mentioned when Gazza was asked if he thought something similar might have happened at the other end of the city with Pep Guardiola’s champions currently in the midst of a wretched run of form.
He said: “Might have done, yeah. Because I went to see Fergie. I was brave enough to go and see him after not signing for him. His hairdryer is actually in his office, unbelievably.
“I was at a Manchester United game two years ago or something, and I’m just sitting at the side of my agent, and a guy came up to me and told me Fergie wants to see me in his office.
“Honestly, I was nervous. So I went in to see him and I honestly just looked at him and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up.
“He said ‘you still should have f**king signed for me!’”
Gascoigne was also asked about the current situation at Old Trafford after Erik ten Hag was sacked and replaced by Ruben Amorim.
He replied: “I mean he [ten Hag] did well hanging in. But honestly, if I was a good manager, the last job I want is to follow Alex Ferguson. No way. Follow Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, no way. That guy Slot, Klopp obviously did really well. So for him to take over and what he’s achieved so far, it’s amazing.
“He [ten Hag] has left now, and the new guy’s come in, so I felt for him. But listen, once you’ve been manager over in England, you’re always going to get another manager’s job. Once you’re manager of Arsenal, or Man United or teams like that, you’re always going to get another managerial job. Always.”