- Sir Alex Ferguson has mentored fellow Scot Dougie Freedman in recent years.
- The couple was seen leaving the exclusive private members club Oswald’s together.
- The Plymouth job will be what makes or breaks Wayne Rooney’s managerial career – Listen to the everything is beginning podcast
Sir Alex Ferguson was spotted at the posh private club Oswald’s in Mayfair on Friday night.
Legendary Man United manager Ferguson returned to London a week after watching the Red Devils win the FA Cup at Wembley by beating Man City 2-1.
The 82-year-old, who is expected to be at the national stadium again on Saturday for the Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid, was photographed leaving the venue which is one of the most exclusive private clubs in the capital.
Oswald’s, which has no social media presence, has seen visits from celebrities and royals including Prince William, Beyoncé, Victoria Beckham, Boris Johnson, Amber Heard and Prince Albert II of Monaco in recent years.
An article in TimeHe even described it as: “A private dining club that has become one of the capital’s most exclusive retreats for senior members of the government, deep-pocketed donors, showbiz stars looking for private fun, and members of the Royal family”.
Sir Alex Ferguson was seen leaving Oswald’s private club in Mayfair on Friday.
Ferguson stopped for fans and signed autographs while he was joined by Dougie Freedman.
Ferguson stopped to pose for photographs and sign autographs for fans, before heading to a car as he left the area.
Perhaps surprisingly, Dougie Freedman was pictured alongside Ferguson as he left the venue, although the Crystal Palace sporting director is believed to have a strong relationship with his fellow Scot.
Mail Sport previously reported how Ferguson has advised Freedman for many years.
The pair first met when Freedman’s Crystal Palace defeated United in the League Cup at Old Trafford in 2011, and became neighbors and friends the following year when he moved north to manage Bolton.
Freedman was tremendously respectful, always referring to him as Mr. Ferguson in the way Scots often call their elders out of respect, but the one time he politely rejected Fergie’s advice worked in his favor.
In 2017, having lost his jobs at financially strapped Bolton and Nottingham Forest, Freedman was approached by Hearts to be their manager, only to receive a counter-offer from Palace chairman Steve Parish to become their sporting director.
Fergie urged the youngster not to disparage Hearts – “it’s a great club” – but Freedman opted for a career change and headed south.
Ferguson then got into a car and the Scot was ready to be in the Champions League final tonight.
Freedman is believed to be mentored by Ferguson and has earned rave reviews for his work.
He has done so well recruiting the likes of Marc Guehi, Michael Olise, Adam Wharton and Eberechi Eze that he has been in high demand of late.
He was heavily linked with a move to United as they continue to reshuffle their technical structure under Sir Jim Ratcliffe, while he was a leading candidate to replace Dan Ashworth as sporting director at Newcastle.
However, the 50-year-old rejected interest from Eddie Howe’s side and signed a new contract with Crystal Palace, who finished the campaign in good form and has high hopes for next season.
