7 Instances when managers gave their players the hairdryer treatment
The term “hairdryer treatment” was first used by former Manchester United striker, Mark Hughes, when referring to the fearsome decibel-busting rollickings dished out by his manager Sir Alex Ferguson over his 27 years in charge at the Old Trafford. When Sir Alex was angry with his players, he shouted at them with such force, it was like having a hairdryer switched on in their faces. It became known around the globe as the hairdryer treatment.Whenever managers get mad at their players, the hairdryer comes out. But internet searches do a poor job explaining what it entails aside from a lot of shouting laced with an abundance of profanities (and in David Beckham's case, a boot to the head). What makes it so feared?It has been much talked about for quite sometime now. Football is a sport of such passion and dedication that it gets the best and worst out of you at most times. Managers going after their players is also a sign which proves the same. It must happen often in world football, but only some players dare to make it public.We look at five such instances as recounted by the players where the managers gave them the hairdryer treatment.
#1 Sir Alex Ferguson vs David Beckham
The most publicised incident of the hairdryer treatment is that of David Beckham and his then manager Sir Alex Ferguson. It was back in 2003 when United were knocked out of the FA
Cup by Arsenal. What particularly angered Ferguson during the game was Beckham’s inability to track back when Arsenal attacked, and scored through Sylvain Wiltord.
Ferguson’s ire grew when Beckham ignored his criticism afterwards. After the match in the dressing room, United’s manager, standing 12 feet away from the midfielder, kicked a boot that accidentally caught the midfielder above the eye. Describing the incident in detail, both the manager and player have given an insight in their respective books.
Beckham was furious and wrote in his own autobiography of wanting “to go for the Gaffer” after the boot hit him. Whereas, Ferguson said in his book: "He(David) was 12 feet from me. Between us on the floor lay a row of boots. David swore. I moved towards him and as I approached I kicked a boot. It hit him right about the eye. Of course, he rose to have a go at me and the players stopped him. 'Sit down,' I said. 'You've let your team down. You can argue as much as you like'."
“Just f***** patch him up," Fergie was said to have told the club’s physio after the incident.
But two days later the story broke as Beckham wore an Alice band in public to highlight his injury. Ferguson had to react decisively and told the board that Beckham was to be sold. That incident meant the end for the player at United. Beckham was soon sold to Real Madrid.
Ferguson added, “David thought he was bigger than Alex Ferguson,’’ and described him as "the only player I managed who chose to be famous, who made it his mission to be known outside the game".
Ferguson insists he holds no grudge against the former England captain but say things were different when their relationship broke down in 2003. Beckham says that the bust-up is long-forgotten and that there are 'no hard feelings' between the old friends.
Despite Ferguson having nurtured Beckham to superstardom, he clearly believes the player made a mistake. He says that if David had focused and stayed, he would have been revered as a United legend.