As Manchester United’s most successful manager in their history, Sir Alex Ferguson also holds the record for the longest serving manager of the team. During his 26 years with the club from 1986 to 2013, Ferguson was instrumental in the team winning 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League titles, 5 FA Cup titles apart from 4 League Cup titles. The 83-year-old former football manager, who was also Manchester United’s ambassador till last year, was named the brand ambassador for Playlist for Life charity, a charity promoting the use of music for dementia care. The 83-year-old Ferguson has shared how he makes sure that he keeps up to his memory including solving crosswords and singing a lot apart from reading about the American civil war.
“When you get to my age, you do have a little worry about whether your memory is going to stand up. I’m 84 in December and there are moments when I forget things. I probably did that 20 years ago, 30 years ago… no-one’s blessed with a 100% memory. But when it comes to football, when I was a manager, the memory has always been important. Now I do a lot of crosswords, I sing a lot and read. I tend to go into history – the American civil war. I went to a few of the battlegrounds in America, which I really enjoyed.” Ferguson told BBC Breakfast.
It was in 2013 that Ferguson ended his managerial career after spending more than 26 years with Manchester United. Prior to being the manager of Manchester United, Fergusaon had worked as manager with Scottish second-division team East Stirlingshire apart from working with St Mirren FC and Aberdeen FC till 1986. During his tenure with Manchester United, the club won 38 titles before Ferguson announced his retirement from the role in 2013. Post retirement, the mercurial manager also worked in a front-office role with the club apart from being the club’s brand ambassador. While he had suffered from brain haemorrhage in 2018, Ferguson recovered fully post surgery. The 83-year-old had been spending time with Playlist for Life charity and discussing dementia since the last one year including meeting some of dementia patients. Ferguson also shared how his brother also suffers from dementia. “It caught me a real bit. I’ve got myself involved a little bit more. Music has an important role for dementia sufferers and we must continue that. You don’t need to be a great singer to join in, just to know the words. It’s wonderful. I have a situation myself, with my brother. It’s not easy. I have to be in touch with him a lot. He recognises me (but) the memory’s not great.
‘I sing every morning’
Sir Alex Ferguson told #BBCBreakfast about the how music can help those living with dementia – and the very personal reason he is supporting the Playlist for Life charityhttps://t.co/Yb8r7Gs02R pic.twitter.com/dtd4Ehds5s
— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) September 19, 2025
“But he’s not bad. He’s not getting any worse, let’s put it that way, which is very encouraging.” Ferguson said.
When asked if dementia is a subject which occupied his mind, the former Manchester United boss answered in affirmative. “It is, yeah, because I’m his brother. I’m only a year ahead of him and I’ve only one brother so he is important to me. It’s at the back of my mind all the time. You think, ‘I wonder if he’s in just now’, or if I should give him a phone (call). I try to do that each day. I keep telling him: ‘Write things down.’ I think he tries to do that, but he forgets a lot of the time,” shared Ferguson.
While the charity holds music as well dance and singing sessions for dementia patients, Ferguson also recalled how the staff at Manchester United would get to know that he is arriving at the Carrington Training ground prior to the EPL matches. “My staff would know I was in the building when I came in the morning. I don’t think they liked it… ‘Here he comes, close the doors.’ I think it’s just part of you. If I’m in the shower, wherever, singing is part of me.” Ferguson said.
