This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-24625557

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Leadership - Fergie's recipe Leadership - Fergie's recipe
(35 minutes later)
Loyalty, control, discipline. Those are the ingredients of leadership.Loyalty, control, discipline. Those are the ingredients of leadership.
So says the man who I once teasingly described as "the greatest living Briton".So says the man who I once teasingly described as "the greatest living Briton".
Sir Alex Ferguson was launching his new autobiography today. I went along to Fergie's news conference to ask the man known simple as "the boss" whether the qualities that make a great leader on and off the pitch can be transferred to other fields and, in particular, to politics. Sir Alex Ferguson was launching his new autobiography today. I went along to Fergie's news conference to ask the man known simply as "the boss" whether the qualities that make a great leader on and off the pitch can be transferred to other fields and, in particular, to politics.
What leaders have to do, he told me, was to create loyalty in their staff, transmit their philosophy and exert control and discipline. Leadership, he says, is a quality which allows your personality to transfer to everyone.What leaders have to do, he told me, was to create loyalty in their staff, transmit their philosophy and exert control and discipline. Leadership, he says, is a quality which allows your personality to transfer to everyone.
Interestingly his book, though largely about football, does include a revelation about his involvement in politics.Interestingly his book, though largely about football, does include a revelation about his involvement in politics.
He denies a claim made in Tony Blair's memoirs that he had advised the former prime minister to sack Gordon Brown. Ferguson's recollection is that whilst Blair asked him how to handle superstars and not Brown in particular. He denies a claim made in Tony Blair's memoirs that he had advised the former prime minister to sack Gordon Brown. Ferguson's recollection is that while Blair asked him how to handle superstars and not Brown in particular.
The advice was clear and is a theme of this book - "the minute they threaten your control, you have to get rid of them".The advice was clear and is a theme of this book - "the minute they threaten your control, you have to get rid of them".
Fergie describes himself as being "on the left" of the Labour party, "closer to Brown (than Blair) in principle" but accepting that "Blair's more populist way was the route to get elected".Fergie describes himself as being "on the left" of the Labour party, "closer to Brown (than Blair) in principle" but accepting that "Blair's more populist way was the route to get elected".
Today the questions all focussed on the big footballing names Sir Alex struggled to control or to compete with - Beckham, Keane, Mouriniho and the rest. T Today the questions all focussed on the big footballing names Sir Alex struggled to control or to compete with - Beckham, Keane, Mourinho and the rest.
here are many more I would love to ask about how a leader inspires loyalty, maintains control and instils discipline. There are many more I would love to ask about how a leader inspires loyalty, maintains control and instils discipline.
My colleague David Bond's interview with Sir Alex will run soon.My colleague David Bond's interview with Sir Alex will run soon.