Fergie: Why Alan Hansen didn't go to the 1986 Mexico World Cup…

Scotland caretaker manager, Alex Ferguson explains why he didn't select Liverpool captain Alan Hansen for the 1986 World Cup Finals in Mexico.

Taken from "The Official Alex Ferguson Story" released in 1995.

#classic #fergie #hansen

[RTAC_]

I'm not sure Fergie can really complain about players withdrawing from international squads...

[jmo]

Fergie made sure lots of Utd players missed internationals down the years. The only thing to say in his favour was that he hated pointless friendly games and would never look to see a player miss a competitive international but it’s still a bit rich.

[keithconneely]

Worked out well for Ferguson's subsequently all-conquering Scotland team.

[ianwilson]

Hansen won 8 English league titles and 3 European cups with Liverpool, playing 434 games, but only won 26 Scottish caps cos they thought the Aberdeen centre-backs were better.

[normlothian]

If it was one off his favourites it would not matter what he did

[paddypenman]

Is this the real reason why Fergie wanted to "knock Liverpool off their perch" all along?

[D_B_Cooper]

Hansen had a shocker at hampden v the Swiss I think, Stein hooked him at half time. His Scotland career effectively ended then plus there was the perceived benefit of playing a club partnership

[Samsaraman]

So how did Mexico 86 turn out then Fergie? A great group of players...

[wonjubhoy]

In Jock Stein's last game Alan Hansen pulled out. Stein said to Ferguson 'If we qualify Hansen won't go to Mexico.'

[wales]

Sounds like exactly what giggs did with Wales for years

[KevTheImpaler]

Mind you, I remember Mick Shannon saying about the controversy that it's strikers they needed and David Speedie was the best they got, which sounded a bit worrying.

[TonyBananas]

Can't be taking someone to the world cup who's 50/50 to cry off any given game

[glazersout]

"You can't win anything" with billy big bollocks" ey Hansen 😂

[markhand]

it seems like an 'ego' thing really, stein ferguson didn't like him because he was so successful at liverpool and want to show him who's boss. Its not like hansen was walking into a welcoming atmosphere they arent prepared to compromise their egos for the greater good of the team. They showed him who was boss and won nothing.

[lukas_jay]

Hansen played like shit for Scotland anyway. And was responsible for their exit in 1982

[lucabrazzi]

Why would you want to play for Scotland when you can play for liverpool ??

[Summertimesensation]

Hansen's attitude if you listen to Ferguson although Miller and McLeish rarely let us down

[creasemason]

Liverpool players were never available when Scotland needed them...
But they wanted to play in the World Cup...

[kjellolofsson]

Hansen was never as good with Scotland as he was with Liverpool.

Fergie made the correct decision.

[derekrushe]

Alan Hansen is literally the greatest central defender to ever play in England. He was beyond a Rolls Royce of a player. He's by far the best Liverpool has ever had.