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'I didn't like him & I wasn't scared of him'

'I didn't like him & I wasn't scared of him'

BBC News22-05-2025

As Dundee United's longest-serving and most successful manager, Jim McLean is a legendary figure at Tannadice.The former United boss, who died after a long battle with dementia in 2020, led the team for 22 years from 1971 to 1993, guiding United to unprecedented success.A top-flight winner in 1983. Back-to-back League Cup triumphs in 1980 and 1981. A Uefa Cup runner-up in 1987.Despite that success, there was no love lost between McLean and an up-and-coming Duncan Ferguson, who played for three years under the ex-Tannadice manager.Speaking to BBC Scotland's chief sports writer Tom English, Everton legend Ferguson describes McLean as a "tyrant" and a "bully"."I didn't like that," he says. "I didn't like the way he talked to me. I didn't like the way he talked to other people. "There were senior players in the dressing room who were petrified of him. I've seen them crying their eyes out. I didn't care. He didn't bother me. I wasn't scared of him."Following McLean's death in 2020, Ferguson was asked to go to his funeral.But the former Rangers and Newcastle striker said it would not have been appropriate for him to attend, adding: "I didn't like the guy. He did nothing for me. "He shouted at my mum on the phone because I wasn't in my digs. Mum's crying her eyes out. I didn't hate him. I don't hate anybody, but I didn't like him."Read more: Big Dunc - From Barlinnie hell to Goodison heaven

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