Sir Alex Ferguson: Secrets of Success, BBC One, TV review: Fawning tribute fails to tackle the controversial issues

An incredibly successful manager and shrewd businessman, yes – but as far as secrets go, it was pretty scant

Sir Alex had a great with the 'This Is Your Life' format, grinning throughout (Getty Images)

Presented by Nick Robinson, the BBC’s attempt to “uncover the secrets” behind Sir Alex Ferguson’s success was an odd sort of living tribute to the former Manchester United manager.

Cutting between footage of a lecture at the London Business School, talking heads (including Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand and, somewhat bizarrely, Tony Blair) and a one-on-one interview with Robinson, it served as a sort of This Is Your Life montage.

There’s no denying that Sir Alex was an incredibly successful manager and a shrewd businessman. But as far as secrets go, it was pretty scant. Everyone at the club loved him (“He understood it’s just as much about the ladies doing the laundry and making sure they are happy, as it is about making sure Cristiano Ronaldo has a great day”). But then those who didn’t, were simply not asked.

His feud with Roy Keane was mentioned – but not by Sir Alex. Instead it was left to Rio to surmise why he sacked the captain (“A message for the next generation – don’t ever think you’re bigger than the team”).

Robinson, who wiped the fawning grin off his face only long enough to open his mouth, failed to challenge Sir Alex on the controversial issues – such as Eric Cantona kicking a spectator in the face.

Sir Alex was having a great time. He too grinned throughout, happily recalling how he knew the name of everyone at Manchester United from the tea lady up and how he inspired players with a copy of the famous Rockefeller Centre picture “Lunch atop a skyscraper”.