Boothroyd Versus Ferguson

Saturday's eagerly awaited Premiership fixture between Watford and Manchester United brings together two managers at completely opposite ends of the managerial scale.

On the one hand you have Sir Alex Ferguson, manager of Manchester United, winner of the Champions League, eight Premiership titles plus a whole host of cup competitions, whilst on the other is Watford's Aidy Boothroyd, an apprentice by comparison, but already making his mark in the game at the tender age of 36.

Bradford born Boothroyd became a manager for the first time towards the end of the 2004/05 season, leaving his position as Kevin Blackwell's first team coach at Leeds United.

Watford, under the well respected but under achieving Ray Lewington were seemingly heading for relegation to the Coca-Cola First Division, and indeed upon his appointment many reasoned fans were saying “Aidy who?”. Hindsight is a wonderful thing though, and credit must go to the Vicarage Road board for their foresight in appointing a man who was to change the club's fortunes almost overnight.

A desperately hard fought one goal victory at Stoke City in the penultimate game of the season rescued the Golden Boys from a last day battle to avoid the drop, and then, in his first full campaign at the helm, Boothroyd masterminded a nine month long promotion challenge which ultimately ended in Millennium Stadium play-off glory last May.

As so often happens with ‘great' managers and the Watford boss can not be bracketed as such just yet, an enforced retirement from the game at an early age gave him an opportunity to refocus his thinking.

A career spent entirely in the lower divisions ended prematurely at the age of just 26, and Boothroyd spent the next few years wisely, obtaining all the necessary FIFA coaching badges to enable him to step up into management.

Youth jobs at Peterborough United, Norwich City and West Bromwich Albion ensued, prior to his arrival at Elland Road.

Boothroyd's style is one of meticulous preparation, extreme positive thoughts, and a driving determination that breathes confidence into the players which leads them to want to play and do their utmost to impress him, none more so than last season's leading goal scorer, Marlon King who had first come across his present boss whilst on loan at Leeds United.

“I saw the impact he had on players. He bought a certain atmosphere to the club and his training sessions were quality. When I knew I could play under him again I couldn't say no.”, said King midway through last season when interviewed by the BBC.

Sir Alex Ferguson meanwhile has been in charge of Manchester United since 1986, is now the longest serving manager in the Premiership, and has long been regarded as one of the greats of the game.

The Govan born Glaswegian began his management career at perennial Scottish strugglers, East Stirlingshire at the age of 33 back in July 1974, when his opposite number would have been just three.

Progression saw him go onto manage St. Mirren, before a successful eight years was spent at Aberdeen.

The highlight of his time at Pittodrie was undoubtedly the lifting of the European Cup Winners Cup, but just as praiseworthy was his ability to ensure Aberdeen competed on all fronts domestically with traditional Old Firm rivals, Glasgow Celtic and Rangers.

That winning mentality transferred with him upon his arrival in England and Old Trafford, as United once again became the most feared team in English football after a period in the doldrums stretching back to the late sixties.

When comparing the two it is true to say the Manchester United boss has a completely different style to that of his Watford counterpart, the latter, all fire and brimstone, loves to play mind games with his immediate rivals, most notably, Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho and before them Kevin Keegan.

Boothroyd prefers the more physiological approach, installing unquestionable confidence and belief into his team, although as his altercation with Crystal Palace's Fitz Hall during last season's play-offs showed, he too can be fiery if riled.

So will it be the experienced fiery Scot, or the youthful, normally calm and composed Yorkshire man who prevails on Saturday, we shall just have to wait and see, the match up between the two is as intriguing as the game itself.