One day away, Alex Ferguson almost became a Gunners' manager

Alex Ferguson was a day away from becoming the manager of the Gunners' side in 1986, a near‑miss revealed by former Scotland and Arsenal forward Charlie Nicholas. The revelation comes as part of a broader profile of journalist Hal, who combines a love of the Three Lions and Arsenal with a career in sports media.

Hal’s academic and professional journey

Hal earned an MA in Sports Journalism and an NCTJ qualification from St Mary’s University Twickenham. Since late 2021 he has been part of the Valnet network, contributing to its football coverage.

He began as a freelance writer for This Is Futbol, later moving to FootballFanCast where he became social‑media editor. Today he works as an editor for GiveMeSport, primarily covering the Premier League, Champions League and English football.

Beyond football, Hal also assists GiveMeSport in reporting on major sports such as MMA, boxing, darts, tennis and golf, with the summer and winter Olympics highlighted as key calendar events.

Ferguson’s missed Arsenal appointment

Charlie Nicholas, who earned 20 caps for Scotland and played for both Celtic and Arsenal, disclosed in his book *Truly, Madly, Charlie* that Arsenal approached Sir Alex Ferguson during the 1986 World Cup. Nicholas recalled a dinner conversation where Ferguson asked about Arsenal and expressed enthusiasm for the club.

According to Nicholas, Ferguson was offered the job and told him the contract was ready. He promised Ferguson full control of the dressing‑room, a point Nicholas believed was crucial for success.

However, the following day Ferguson accepted the Manchester United position, a decision that would later lead to 13 Premier League titles. Nicholas described the scene: “Twenty‑four of us were in a players’ group; Archie Knox took eight to dinner, Walter Smith another eight, and Fergie took his eight. He then told me he had just accepted the United job.”

The anecdote underscores how a single day altered the trajectories of both the Gunners' and United’s histories, leaving fans to wonder how many titles the Gunners' might have won under Ferguson’s leadership.

Hal’s profile, combined with Nicholas’s recollection, offers a vivid snapshot of football’s “sliding‑door” moments, where a single decision can reshape careers and club legacies.