Sir Alex Ferguson: Most Influential Person in Premier League History

Former Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson has been named the most influential player in the Premier League history. He topped the list, put together by the Mail, which featured other big names including the likes of David Beckham and Arsene Wenger, among others.

Other people like Roman Abramovich, Jose Mourinho and Robert Scudamore are also included in the top 10 of the 50 long list.

Sir Alex has been an instrumental part of not just Manchester United over the past 20 years, but has in a way changed the most viewed league in the world in more ways than one. When he joined the club in 1992, the club was not at the best of its positions. But, after winning 13 Premier League titles over the course of 20 years, along with 5 FA Cups, 4 League cups and 2 UEFA Champions Leagues, SAF put Manchester United smack dab at the top.

Over his course at England, he brought in a new era of football, and a new style of counter attacking play which was unprecedented at the time. The youth were given priority and talent was encouraged. The Class of 92′,  which consists of David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Phil Neville and Paul Scholes, were some of the best players England has ever produced. He was known to be harsh and strong in his team,  holding an iron ruler in his hand (figuratively!).

According to the Mail, the following ranking is chosen keeping in mind their influence in the formation or adaptation of the Premier League and/or playing a critical/unprecedented role for their club. It doesn’t discriminate based on the awards one has won but their role in the making of what the Premier League is now.

Jean-Marc Bosman, David Dein and Eric Cantona also made it to the top 10 list.The complete list, compiled, is given below.

50 Steven Gerrard
49 Peter Ridsdale
48 Didier Drogba
47 Karren Brady
46 Philip Don
45 Sol Campbell
44 Gary Lineker
43 Carlos Tevez
42 Rune Hauge
41 Kevin Keegan.
40= Rio Ferdinand, John Terry
38 Paul Hawkins
37 Cristiano Ronaldo
36 Frank Lampard
35 George Graham
34 The Glazer family
33 Gary Neville
32 Dennis Bergkamp
31 Andy Melvin
30 Jorge Mendes
29 Gianfranco Zola
28 Gordon Taylor
27 Peter Schmeichel
26 Juninho
25 Peter Kenyon
24 Bobby Robson
23 Wayne Rooney
22 Ken Bates
21 Ryan Giggs. 
20 Harry Redknapp
19 Sacha Gaydamak
18= Patrick Vieira, Roy Keane
16 Jack Walker
15 Lord Taylor
14 Thierry Henry
13 Kenny Dalglish
12 Alan Shearer
11 Sheik Mansour
10 David Dein (and Gang)
9 Jose Mourinho
8 Roman Abramovich
7 David Beckham (and Posh Spice)
6 Jean-Marc Bosman
5 Richard Scudamore
4 Arsene Wenger
3 Eric Cantona
2 Rupert Murdoch
1 Sir Alex Ferguson