Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and ex-Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger were inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame on Wednesday.
During a period of intense rivalry that began in the 1990s, the two men won 16 English top-flight titles between them.
Ferguson, 81, is the most successful manager in Premier League history, having led Manchester United to 13 titles, while Wenger has three titles with Arsenal, including an undefeated season in 2003/04.
Ferguson, United’s manager for more than 26 years, won the inaugural Premier League title in 1992/93, the club’s first league title since 1967.
Ferguson has already had six players inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame: David Beckham, Eric Cantona, Roy Keane, Wayne Rooney, Peter Schmeichel, and Paul Scholes.
“It’s an honor to be recognized in this way,” said Ferguson, who retired in 2013 after winning his 13th title.
“However, it’s not just about me as an individual. It’s about the job at Manchester United and the relationship we’ve built over the years, so I’m also proud of the club, the staff, and my players.”
Wenger joined Arsenal in 1996 as one of the Premier League’s first foreign managers and stayed until 2018.
The Frenchman introduced a revolutionary football philosophy to the English game, focusing on nutrition and sports science.
He was dedicated to playing attractive, attacking football, and he won the title in his first full season with the club in 1997/98.
Wenger oversaw a shrewd transfer strategy that included scouting talent from abroad — fellow Hall of Fame members Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira were two of his key players.
“It is a great honor for me to share this with Sir Alex,” said the 73-year-old, who is currently FIFA’s football development chief.
“It’s like two boxers fighting each other and going the distance.” At the end of the day, you have respect for him, and it will be a great opportunity to meet with him, share a good bottle of wine, and recall old battles.”
The two managers brought “unparalleled levels of success” to their clubs, according to Premier League chief executive Richard Masters.
“Manchester United’s dominance under Sir Alex remains unrivaled after he guided them to an incredible 13 Premier League titles across 21 Premier League seasons,” he said.
“Arsene was an innovator who was well ahead of his time,” Masters added. and the Invincibles season is not only one of the greatest achievements in English football but in all of sport.”
