Brown will always treasure his time under Fergie, ‘hairdryer' included

The Star

29-05-2025

Good ol' days: Wes Brown (right) remembers his time playing under the stewardship of Sir Alex Ferguson. — AFP
KUALA LUMPUR: It was a dream for Wes Brown to play for Manchester United, and that dream got even better under legendary manager Alex Ferguson.
'What was it like to play under Ferguson? Well, if you played well, it was very good. If you played badly, well then it's the 'hairdryer' treatment,' said Brown yesterday.
The former United defender was in Kuala Lumpur to spend time with young footballers as part of an Adidas football clinic at the Sayfol International School yesterday.
Brown was referring to Ferguson's method of verbal reprimand, which was famously called the ''hairdryer'' treatment.
But the 45-year-old Brown said Ferguson was an iconic gaffer, and played a pivotal role in his career as a footballer from Manchester.
'For me, he was like a father figure. He's had so many great players who played before me, and to be in the first team for 12 years under him, he taught me so much.
'Ferguson made you understand what it means to win. It's not just about you, it's about your family, it's about every Manchester United fan.
'Even if you get paid and do the work hard enough, sometimes you can't win everything. So you just go again.
'Ferguson was a great leader to be around,' he said.
Brown was also joined by teammate Nani at the event, which was part of their promotional tour of the club's post-season friendly with the Asean All-Stars at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium yesterday.