Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith has revealed the remarkable story of how he turned down a personal transfer plea from the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson, a decision made while he was watching Coronation Street at his parents' home.
The Fateful Phone Call During Coronation Street
In early 1987, Alan Smith was a prolific young striker at Leicester City, having scored 84 goals for the club since 1982. His form attracted the attention of Manchester United's new manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, who had been in charge at Old Trafford for only a few months. One January evening, while Smith was watching the iconic soap opera with his family, the phone rang in the hall.
"My mum picked it up and she said, 'Alan, it's Alex Ferguson on the phone for you,'" Smith recalled in an interview on the Seaman Says podcast with ex-teammate David Seaman. "I thought she misheard the name." It was indeed the United boss, making a direct approach to sign the in-demand forward.
Choosing Arsenal Over United's Struggling Project
Smith took the call in the hallway for a brief conversation that would shape his career. Ferguson wanted him to wait until the summer, when his Leicester contract expired, to move to Manchester on a free transfer. However, Smith had already set his heart on a move to George Graham's Arsenal, who were pushing to sign him before the deadline.
"I said, 'Mr Ferguson, I'm sorry but I've made up my mind, I want to join Arsenal,'" Smith revealed. After hanging up, he immediately questioned his boldness. "I put the phone down and thought, 'Have I done the right thing there, saying no to the Manchester United manager?'" His doubts were compounded by United's struggles at the time; Ferguson's side went four or five years without winning a major trophy, and the manager was reportedly close to being sacked.
A Decision Vindicated by North London Glory
Smith's move to Arsenal was finalised in March 1987, though he was loaned back to Leicester for the rest of the season. Any lingering regrets were swiftly erased by a trophy-laden spell in North London. He became a club hero, playing a pivotal role in one of English football's most dramatic moments.
In 1989, he scored the first goal in Arsenal's legendary 2-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield, a result that snatched the First Division title from the hosts in the final seconds of the season. This ended an 18-year championship drought for the Gunners. Smith's honours at Arsenal included:
- Another league title in 1991.
- A League Cup and FA Cup double in 1993.
- Scoring the winner in the 1994 European Cup Winners' Cup final against Parma.
- Being the club's top scorer for four consecutive seasons.
He retired in 1995 and now, aged 63, works as a respected co-commentator and pundit for Sky Sports.
For Sir Alex Ferguson, the failed transfer was a minor setback in a monumental career. He won his first trophy with United, the FA Cup, in 1990, secured his first Premier League title in the 1992/93 season, and went on to become the most successful manager in English football history with 13 league titles.
