Fergie criticises ‘ridiculous’ Liverpool suits

Matt Stead

Sir Alex Ferguson says Liverpool’s decision to attend the 1996 FA Cup final in white suits was “absolutely ridiculous”.

Liverpool attended the 1996 FA Cup final in white Giorgio Armani suits, symbolic of the ‘Spice Boy’ culture at the club, and were beaten 1-0 by an Eric Cantona winner for Manchester United on the day.

The scene of Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman and other Anfield stalwarts in their white suits has since gone down in footballing folklore, and former United boss Ferguson has blasted the “absolutely ridiculous” fashion choice.

“I said to [assistant] Brian Kidd ‘1-0’. Because of that,” Ferguson said in the BBC special ‘Sir Alex Ferguson: Secrets of Success’.

“I think that’s, what would you call it? Arrogance or over-confidence. It was ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. Blue shirt, red and white tie and white suit. And a blue flower.

“Who designed that? They say it was Armani. I bet his sales went down.”

“I mean Jamie Redknapp’s got sunglasses on, but you know the most telling part of it is Roy Evans and Ron Moran had black suits on. I think they were embarrassed.

“Liverpool Football Club’s a great club with history they’ve won the European Cup more times than Manchester United. Between Manchester United and Liverpool, they’ve won more trophies than any other club in Great Britain. That didn’t represent Liverpool.”