Chelsea captain John Terry has lauded the influence of former Manchester United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson.
Terry, 35, was a boyhood United fan, but switched allegiances upon joining Chelsea. The defender posted a tribute to Ferguson on photo-sharing app Instagram.
In the caption, Terry wrote: “Who would have thought I would go on to win four Premier Leagues and five FA Cups”.
“I have so much respect for Sir Alex Ferguson and will never forget what he done for me and my family.”
Speaking in an interview with The Observer in 2006, Terry recounted the contact he received from Manchester United, with Ferguson keen to sign the starlet defensive midfielder.
“I was Man United growing up,” he said. “You know what it’s like when you’re a boy, you want to support the team that’s winning everything. And my dad and granddad were Man United fans.
“But my first day at Chelsea I knew that was the club I wanted to be at. I just loved it. But Man United also approached me.
“I met Alex Ferguson – great to meet. During the school holidays I would go up to Manchester and train with their boys for two weeks, play a few games and come home.
“But one thing that was really special about Man United was that Alex Ferguson took time out and invited me to one of their games and to have lunch with their players.
“So there we are – me, my mum and dad, my brother. He made me feel so special, autographs, my photo done with the Premiership trophy.
“I think it was hard for my dad to take that I was going to sign for Chelsea, but I had to sit him down and tell him it was definitely the right decision.”
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