IRVINE WAS SHOCKED WHEN FERGUSON LEFT ABERDEEN

Brian Irvine says he was shocked the day Sir Alex Ferguson left Aberdeen for Manchester United.

He said he would never forget that day as the feeling at Pittodrie was that of massive loss. He led them for eight years and was set for greater success at Old Trafford.

Irvine, who lifted the 1990 Scottish Cup, is sad to see that another manager with the best win ratio since Ferguson is set to leave again. Derek McInnes has reportedly left the Granite City to lead Sunderland from the ruins of relegation to the Championship.

“The news then quickly broke that he was going to Manchester United and I was in shock. He signed me, he was the man I looked up to, so it was a big, big disappointment for me,” Irvine said.

“Like it was then for Aberdeen with Fergie, it will be very hard too for the current board to replace Derek McInnes,” he added. He said Ian Porterfield was a good manager but the shoes of Ferguson were to large to be filled. He cited the retirement of Ferguson at United as another example. He said the Red Devils struggled to replace him until they got Jose Mourinho.

Irvine is not sure how things would play out at the Europa League qualifiers and when a new manager comes on board. He is not happy that some decent stars have left the team and Jonny Hayes could join them. He labels McInnes exit as “extremely disappointing.”

Irvine lauded the achievements of the outgoing manager, especially his win records. He admitted that maybe winning the Scottish Cup would have given him more clout even though it does not dim his consistent work of over four years. He adds that Aberdeen would eventually move on and remain a force in Scottish football.