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Iconic figures and former rivals, Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger, have been inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame, becoming the first managers to be bestowed with the honour.
Ferguson and Wenger, of Manchester United and Arsenal fame, engaged one of the fiercest and most entertaining rivalries the Premier League has ever seen when their teams went head-to-head for major honours for almost a decade between the mid-90s and 00s.
Sir Alex collected a record 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, three League Cups and two Champions League crowns during his silver-lined dynasty at Old Trafford while Wenger won three leagues and seven FA Cups with the Gunners.
Battles between Ferguson, Wenger and the legendary managers’ fantastic United and Arsenal sides spawned a multitude of incredibly sporting contests and classic Premier League moments.
Ferguson and Wenger honoured by the Premier League
In a statement released by the Premier League to mark Ferguson and Wenger’s induction to their Hall of Fame, they said:
“Legendary managers Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have today been inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.
“The duo created a remarkable legacy with Manchester United and Arsenal respectively, winning a combined 16 Premier League titles as they established one of the most famed rivalries in the League’s history.
“The Hall of Fame recognises and celebrates individuals who have an exceptional record of success and have made a significant contribution to the Premier League since its inception in 1992. It is the highest individual honour awarded by the League.”
Two legends who helped define the Premier League.
Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger are the first two inductees of the 2023 #PLHallOfFame pic.twitter.com/fwgwtst5c3
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 29, 2023
Old rivals discuss new friendships
Discussing their Hall of Fame inductions, Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger opened up about how their relationship has changed over the years.
“We have a terrific relationship,” said Ferguson. “It’s amazing because obviously we didn’t converse [while managing].
“He had his job, I had my job… There’s no doubt that we both wanted to win and both displayed that in the way our teams played the games against each other.
“But over the years, through the UEFA meetings in Switzerland, Arsène and I go for dinner together in a little restaurant he knows well.
“I enjoy his company. He’s a really interesting man. But it is still my job to pick the wine!”
Wenger was equally effusive in his praise for Ferguson, saying:
“Sir Alex Ferguson was the boss of bosses. This rivalry [between Arsenal and Manchester United] became bigger and bigger, but there was still respect there.
“Once you’re not playing against each other anymore, it’s like two boxers, you fight like mad and go the distance together.
“At the end of the day, you have respect and [being inducted into the Hall of Fame together] will be a great opportunity to meet with him, share a good bottle of wine and memories of our old battles.
“In a good restaurant, Alex Ferguson has another superiority over me: he knows better wine than I do… So he always wants to choose the wine when we have one.
“I will be happy to share a good dinner and a good bottle of wine with him.”
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