World Football Coach Day Date in the current year: May 13, 2025

In association football (soccer), the head coach of a team is usually referred to as the manager. A soccer manager has a wide range of responsibilities, including selecting players and formations for games, choosing tactics and strategy, motivating players before and during games, scouting for young talent, buying and selling players, negotiating contracts, speaking to the media before and after games, and delegating responsibilities to other members of the coaching and medical staff. The manager is largely responsible for the success of his club.

Alex Ferguson is widely regarded as one of the most successful football managers of all time. Born in Glasgow on December 31, 1941, he began his career as a player, playing as a striker for several Scottish clubs, including Queen’s Park, St. Johnstone, Dunfermline Athletic, Rangers, Falkirk and Ayr United. He also played for the Scotland national team on tour in 1967.

Ferguson retired from playing in 1974 and was appointed manager of East Stirlingshire at the relatively young age of 32. Four months later he was invited to manage St Mirren. During his four-year tenure with St Mirren, Ferguson led the club from the bottom half of the Second Division to the First Division championship in 1977.

However, he was sacked in 1978, making St Mirren the only club ever to sack Ferguson, and joined Aberdeen. As manager of Aberdeen, Ferguson led the club to three Scottish League Championships, four Scottish Cups, the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup and the UEFA Super Cup.

The pinnacle of Ferguson's managerial career was as manager of Manchester United. He was appointed in November 1986, replacing Ron Atkinson. Ferguson managed Manchester United for 26 years, during which time the club won 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, two UEFA Champions League titles and 18 other trophies.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest managers of all time, Ferguson is credited with valuing young players. The media even coined the term “Fergie’s Fledglings” to describe young players recruited by Ferguson. They include Mark Robins, Lee Sharpe, David Beckham, Grant Brebner, Wes Brown, Nicky Butt, Terry Cooke, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Robbie Savage, Paul Scholes, Ben Thornley, Tom Cleverley, Darren Fletcher, John O’Shea, Jonny Evans, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ferguson holds several professional records: he is the longest-serving manager of Manchester United and the winner of the most Premier League Manager of the Season awards (with three consecutive wins, more than any other manager). In 1999, he was knighted for his services to the sport.

The Spanish National Training Center for Soccer Coaches (CENAFE) declared May 13 as World Football Coach Day at its meeting in April 2021. The date was chosen to commemorate Ferguson’s final match as a manager on May 13, 2013. Despite the word “world” in its name, World Football Coach Day is primarily celebrated in Spain and Spanish-speaking countries.