English FA Premiership/Interview with Alan Curbishley: Jon Brodkin talks to the Charlton manager about his special relationship with Alex Ferguson before the two lock horns at the Valley today.
As Alan Curbishley talks about locking his office door at two o'clock today to stop Alex Ferguson watching horseracing on his television, he is smiling. Charlton's manager dislikes being disturbed before kick-off but his jokey remark also underlines the bond he has forged with his Manchester United counterpart. Fifteen years, 25 major trophies, multimillion-pound signings and a variety of character traits separate the two men but in other ways they could scarcely be closer.
In a volatile era, Curbishley and Ferguson are rarities. When they meet at The Valley, the top flight's two longest-serving managers can reflect on 14 and 19 years in their respective jobs. A mutual respect has developed.
Ferguson has praised Curbishley for "resurrecting" Charlton, "the miracle club of the Premiership". Even before Curbishley reveals he has read the Scot's autobiography, his admiration for Ferguson is plain.
Longevity alone has not brought the pair together. Both serve on the League Managers' Association committee, both have overhauled their clubs with huge success - albeit within vastly contrasting parameters - and both enjoy an old-fashioned post-match chat. They are also still driven after all these years in one environment. Curbishley believes Ferguson's big desire is to regain the title. His own motivation, by definition, is different.
"One of my fears is that all we've achieved here changes, that we have a disaster here," Curbishley says. "That's what drives me on. I don't want that to happen when we've all worked so hard to get us where we are. It keeps me going and I know that's what keeps (the chairman) Richard (Murray) going. And on top of that we have to make sure we do better and better. The minimum we want to be is a Premiership club and after that we've got to try to improve it as much as we can.
"The one thing that always stands out when I've seen Alex Ferguson is his desire and enthusiasm. That's what pushed him to the level he's at and look at him now. He's got so many other things in his life but he's still got the enthusiasm and desire to keep going at Manchester United. I think he's very similar to me. If I have lost that here I know it's time."
Ferguson was one of the first managers Curbishley called, searching for advice, when he started. "I was just so surprised he got back because not all of them got back," he says.
"That is him . . . He's always got time for other managers."
The pair speak about matters such as LMA business and Jonathan Spector, the defender Ferguson has loaned to Charlton in a show of his trust in Curbishley.
The Charlton manager says Ferguson gave him invaluable guidance years ago - "manage what you've got". It is the challenge of operating within your resources and constantly improving your club. Curbishley sees parallels between what he and Ferguson have done.
"Alex took over Manchester United and they're immeasurably bigger and better now in terms of their stadium, training ground, academy," he says. "Arsene Wenger has done a similar thing (at Arsenal). They're moving to a new stadium, their training ground is fantastic, he's revamped the academy, albeit in a different way. We have seen when they play these League Cup games what quality they have underneath. And the two of them couldn't have done that without getting the results.
"They have gone into clubs and totally revamped them. I have done a similar thing, except I'm a little bit disappointed we have a bit of a stoppage in the academy. Nobody's come through in the last couple of seasons but generally since I've been here the team has been stocked with home-grown talent. Now we've sold them - (Scott) Parker, (Paul) Konchesky recently and others. The stadium is unrecognisable from when I took over and so is the team. We are very similar but I have had to get different results."
That, he feels, is why Charlton's success is underestimated. He believes the club have "overachieved" but adds: "We've averaged 10th in the last five years and sit eighth today, so we're not sexy enough for some people. I have a different outlook."
Ferguson is keenly aware of Charlton's progress. He remembers a visit to The Valley 11 seasons ago for a youth cup tie when Charlton were outside the top flight, one stand was condemned and the changing rooms were Portakabins. "Every year he comes back he can't believe the change," says Curbishley. Duels with Ferguson have become the norm for him but he is awaiting a first win and May's spineless 4-0 hammering at home hurt so much he mused about his future.
After defeats to Bolton and Blackburn, Curbishley is looking for a reaction today. Whatever happens, though, he will enjoy a chat with Ferguson. "Managers don't necessarily get together after a game. They're always in a hurry to fly off somewhere and the press are so demanding that we very rarely talk to each other. Alex always manages to come in - mainly because he hardly does any press!"
What are the odds that Roy Keane will come into that conversation at some stage?
Guardian Service
