The Premier League Hall of fame 2023: Wenger and Ferguson have been inducted

The Premier League Hall of Fame has inducted Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger former managers of Manchester United and Arsenal respectively. 

The first managers to be inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame, which was created in 2021, are these two great rivals. 

From the beginning of the Premier League era until his resignation in 2013, Ferguson was the manager of Manchester United, winning a record 13 championships. 

From 1996 to 2018, Wenger oversaw Arsenal for the longest period of time in league history, winning three titles including a golden Premier League trophy when Arsenal went unbeaten the whole season. 

Ferguson and Wenger are the only managers to have won multiple titles, with Pep Guardiola managing Manchester City with four and Jose Mourinho leading Roma with three.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said: “We are delighted to welcome our first two managers into the Premier League Hall of Fame.

“Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger both made a remarkable contribution to the history of football in this country.   

“They brought unparalleled levels of success to Manchester United and Arsenal respectively, raising standards and thrilling fans with a rivalry which resulted in an astonishing 16 title wins between them.”

Ferguson added: “I’m truly delighted to be inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame. It’s an honour when you receive recognition like this.

“However, it’s not just about me as a person. It’s about the job at Manchester United and the bond we had over many years, so I’m also proud for the club, the staff and my players.

“My job was to send the fans home happy. United’s history and my own expectations were the things that drove me, and I then had to try and develop all my players with the same expectations and make sure we could go out and achieve them.”

Wenger said: “I am very grateful to have been selected for the Premier League Hall of Fame.

“We always wanted to give something special to the fans, and when you have players capable of remarkable things, the most important thing for me is the obligation of perfection.

“I’d like to be known as someone who loved Arsenal, who respected the values of the club and left it in a position where it can grow and become even bigger.”

The two join 16 other athletes in the Hall of Fame; three more will be elected by the public from a shortlist of 15 players on Thursday.

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