Sir Alex Ferguson's passionate and honest speech on failure is 'the best you'll hear', it's gone viral

Sir Alex Ferguson is one of the greatest managers of all time. Despite that, he's also had his fair share of failures.

The ex-Manchester United boss was in charge at Old Trafford for 26 years, winning a whopping 38 trophies.

Among those were 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, four League Cups and two Champions Leagues. United did lose finals under his management, though. And he also had a tough start at Old Trafford, almost losing his job after the first couple of seasons.

Much to his annoyance, Ferguson didn't manage to overcome Barcelona in the 2009 or 2011 Champions League final, with the latter leaving him visibly shaking in the Wembley dugout.

Speaking during a public appearance at the University Academy 92, Ferguson dropped a few valuable nuggets of his experience and knowledge we could all afford to listen to. Check it out below.

He began: "39 years as a manager and I have to say, it wasn't all roses. There were times you had to fight your way through things. You depended on your determination. The most important thing I want to make you aware of because it will happen is failure.

"Failure, it will happen. Disappointment will happen. It’s part of your life and you can’t let it go without confronting it."

Ferguson then gestured to the crowd containing some of his former United players.

The 80-year-old continued: "I'm telling you. These lads will back this up. I was a better manager after we lost. When we lost a game, the next day, I was flying. I'm telling you I was a great manager a day after a defeat.

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"I could confront disappointment, I could confront failure because it's a part of your life. Don't think you're going to go through it without disappointment. It'll happen.

"This is where you find yourself. This is where you understand who you are when this happens. What education and training you've had in the past won't help you. Confront it, don't accept it. The next day is important."

Ferguson left United in 2013 after guiding the club to its 20th Premier League title.

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Bitter rivals Manchester City have the dominant force in English football since then.

Pep Guardiola's side has won five of the last six titles.

Topics: Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United

Daniel Marland

Daniel is a social editor for SPORTbible after moving from the writing team. Nearly scored past Stormzy at Old Trafford once.

@DanMarland_