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The Sun
10 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Sir Alex Ferguson quickly bounces back from Man Utd axe as alternative venture secures him more than a year's earnings
SIR ALEX FERGUSON is still earning a pretty penny, despite being ruthlessly axed from his lucrative role at Manchester United. The legendary manager was the biggest casualty of Sir Jim Ratcliffe 's ruthless cost-cutting spree last season. 3 3 3 Fergie was axed from his multi-million-pound ambassadorial role with the club, with the sacking coming into effect at the end of the season. That decision from INEOS bigwig Ratcliffe saw the Scot wave goodbye to a whopping £2.1million a year salary. But the 83-year-old won't be strapped for cash thanks to a business venture he embarked upon over FOUR DECADES ago. Fergie's personal company, ACF Sports Promotions Limited, recorded profits of £2.7m last year, taking its total assets to £26.9m. That figure is up from £24.2m the previous year, although it's not known if the £2.1m Ferguson received from United was paid into the account. ACF is the company that handles all of Fergie's commercial activities, including speaking appearances. Fergie stepped down from his role as company director in 2014, handing over the reins to his son Mark. The healthy bank balance of ACF, which was set up 42 YEARS AGO, means Fergie won't have to worry about losing his ambassador's role with United. Fergie axe comes at the right time - and he knows it By Phil Thomas IT is over a decade since he left the dugout but Sir Alex Ferguson has lost none of his sense of timing. When to sell, when to buy, when to change and ultimately when to go, Fergie has always been in a class of his own. Over the years there were countless decisions which had everyone scratching their head — but Sir Alex always knew the time was right. Some were more obvious than others. Like the night Manchester United won the Treble on the back of his substitutions. Others less so, like the summer of 1995 when terrace legends Mark Hughes, Paul Ince and Andrei Kanchelskis were sold at the peak of their powers. The whole of football thought the manager had lost his marbles. But Fergie knew better, as he chose that year to unleash his 'you win nothing with kids' Double heroes. Just as he knew best when it came to right-hand men. Brian Kidd, Steve McClaren, Archie Knox and Co — an endless list of world-class coaches who all came and went. And, of course, the biggest decision of all. Calling time on 26 years in which he had gone from the brink of the bullet to English football's greatest-ever gaffer. The majority of people are convinced Ferguson stepped down because he knew United's era of dominance was over. Maybe not the nosedive to come but certainly that an almighty rebuild was just around the corner. Another mass overhaul, yet not one he was prepared to oversee. Now another end has arrived. Not as dramatic or as out-of-nowhere, admittedly, but an end nonetheless. Next summer Fergie will leave his 12-year role as global ambassador. Many see it as the most ruthless swing of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's cost-cutting axe — and they are wrong. For while he is trying to save every penny in making United great again — how's that going, Sir Jim? — Ferguson has not suddenly and callously been told he is surplus to requirements. This decision was a two-way call. An amicable parting. Football's own conscious uncoupling, in Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow lingo. And not, incidentally, a departure which means we will no longer see Fergie at Old Trafford on a matchday. That simply will not happen. He will still be there rain, wind or shine . . . Only now as a high-profile non-executive director, rather than a man with the ear — and the sway — behind the owners' biggest decisions. Like he was when urging United to re-sign Cristiano Ronaldo in 2021. Admittedly not his finest hour, rather an indication of the influence he still retained. Back then, until just before Ratcliffe and his Ineos team arrived, in fact, Ferguson had the owners' ear. Almost a hotline to the Glazer family, you could say. And those days are done. Not that Sir Alex is bereft at the thought. For a start, some of the staff sackings have enraged the Scot — long-serving photographer John Peters and kitman Alec Wylie, for example. This is not a cosy-cosy relationship with Ratcliffe being severed. If anything, it is closer to the opposite. And as Fergie the Red, in every sense The Boss — those who played under him still call him that — knows, trousering £2million or so a year in such tight times is not a good look. Fair enough, not an amount anyone would turn down in normal circumstances. Yet when many in the steerage class are losing their livelihoods, it is not something that would have sat well with him. There is also the practical side of things as well. At the end of December, Sir Alex will be 83 years old, albeit still a freakishly fit 83 years old. Yet even though the grey matter remains oh-so-sharp and the mind clear as a bell, the bones grow creakier and even Superman had to put his feet up on occasion. That does not mean you will not see shots of Fergie alongside Ratcliffe at various points — Sir Jim loves too much the associated glamour of being pictured with the greatest. But any idea of Sir Alex having an emperor's thumbs-down power has gone for good — and quite frankly that is something which suits both sides. Fergie was given the role after bringing his legendary 26-and-a-half-year reign at Old Trafford to an end in 2013. He was paid just shy of £26m for his post-managerial gig, which Ratcliffe and Co. deemed to be an unnecessary expense. Sir Alex Ferguson spotted with unlikely TV star pal at Cheltenham again as legendary Man Utd boss bags £65k winner In an interview with the BBC in March, Ratcliffe said of the cost-cutting, which has resulted in hundreds losing their jobs: "We have got a club which was in a level of financial difficulty. "Manchester United would have run out of cash by the end of this year -- by the end of 2025 -- after having me put $300m (£232.72m) in and if we buy no new players in the summer. "If we hadn't have implemented the cost programmes and restructuring that we have done over the last 12 months. "So we have to deal with all those things, and there's only so many things you can deal with at once. "We have a new management team, we have to deal with the financial restructure, then we have to move on to the squad, data analysis, and moving forward. "But we are in the process of change and it's an uncomfortable period and disruptive and I do feel sympathy with the fans. "But I am not actually surprised where we are in the league because Ruben's only got a certain size of squad he can deal with, and quite a number of those players are injured or not available to him."
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
AI spending vows should be good for business
The government knows AI can have a positive effect on public services and the economy, says Mark Ferguson Mark Ferguson looks at the impact of Chancellor Rachel Reeves' recent handouts on innovative tech companies Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The importance being placed on AI and other technologies as drivers of UK economic growth is evident from funding commitments outlined in the Government's annual Spending Review. The pledges made by Chancellor Rachel Reeves will have implications for organisations that both develop and deploy AI solutions, for how UK-based technology companies and universities might innovate, and for the way public sector bodies will operate in future. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The review envisages more than £2 billion of public funds being used to implement the AI opportunities action plan that the government endorsed earlier this year. This, it said, will mean 'a twentyfold expansion' of the capacity of the UK's AI Research Resource, which was established under the previous government to provide so-called 'super-computer' support for AI research. The housing area for Edinburgh University's planned Exascale supercomputer Up to £500 million will also be used on the creation of a new UK Sovereign AI Unit to help 'support the emergence of national AI champions' in tandem with the British Business Bank, which itself is to get almost £3 billion in increased funding 'to support companies to start, scale and grow in the UK'. Another major technology-related funding commitment set out in the spending review is the up to £750 million pledged for a new supercomputer at Edinburgh University - described by the government as an asset that 'will give scientists in all UK universities access to computational power that can be found in only a handful of other nations'. In her announcement, Reeves further pledged £240 million for the AI Security Institute and at least £1 billion to support the scaling up of the Advanced Research and Invention Agency - which provides R&D funding for technological and scientific breakthroughs - as part of a wider £22 billion R&D funding commitment. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Another £1.9 billion was pledged for digital infrastructure, to ensure wider access to and speedier broadband connectivity, as part of wider infrastructure investment commitments. Further funding has also been pledged to support the use of AI in government as part of a broad efficiency drive. The UK's ability to produce its own AI infrastructure, data, and skilled workforce is important for the public sector for enabling focused research on the UK's most critical priorities like healthcare and defence, and for supporting academics and start-ups with affordable resources to train AI models. It should also allow access to AI compute at times of disruption. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is arguably the biggest winner among government departments from the chancellor's spending review, with an average annual growth of 7.4% in day-to-day spending over the next five years, which outstrips every other departmental rise comfortably. The government has spoken favourably since Day One about the positive impact that AI can have on public services and the economy, and based on the Spending Review pledges, it is putting its money where its mouth is. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Many of the details announced make good on the commitments made as part of the government's response to the AI opportunities action plan in January, when it committed to accepting all 50 recommendations in the plan. For businesses attention will now turn to the publication of the government's industrial strategy, which is expected to be published shortly, for further details on how digital and technologies can contribute as one of the eight growth-driving sectors.
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Person dies after police swoop on major Scots city centre & lock down busy street for hours
The road was locked down for several hours CITY CENTRE DEATH Person dies after police swoop on major Scots city centre & lock down busy street for hours Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A PERSON has died after police locked down a busy Scottish city centre for hours. Cops sealed off the Cowgate in Edinburgh on Sunday evening at around 6pm. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 A person has died after cops locked down the Cowgate in Edinburgh on Sunday Credit: Mark Ferguson The alarm was raised following reports of concern for a person. Locals were urged to avoid the area. Sadly, a person has died following an incident. Multiple emergency service vehicles were spotted at the scene on Sunday. Police cars were parked in the middle of the road with their lights flashing. Blue tape was also put up across both ends of the street, blocking anyone from passing through. A blue tent was also spotted at the scene. The road reopened yesterday morning and the public were thanked for their patience. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Cowgate in Edinburgh has reopened following a report of concern for person reported to police around 6pm on Sunday, 15 June. "The public is thanked for their patience." Do you need help? Call the Samaritans on 116 123 or go to
Scottish Sun
09-06-2025
- Climate
- Scottish Sun
Exact date Scotland to be blasted by 24C heat as miserable June set to be transformed by Saharan sizzler
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SCOTLAND is set to bask in glorious sunshine once again after having a soggy start to summer. Most of the country has experienced a miserable start to June with rain, grey skies and even some high winds over the last week. 4 Scots will be flocking to beaches this week as temperatures rise Credit: Alamy Live News 4 Highs of 24C are expected to blast the country by the weekend Credit: Mark Ferguson 4 The hot weather is rescuing the soggy start to summer Credit: Mark Ferguson 4 Weather maps have revealed the exact date the temperature will rise Credit: WXCHARTS And Scots have been itching for more sunshine after experiencing the warmest and sunniest spring on record in the UK. Luckily, weather maps have revealed that hotter temperatures are on the way to rescue the wet, damp summer. The week will start with rain and grim highs of 14C today after a gloomy weekend. But this is expected to start to change on Tuesday with brighter skies and sunny spells bringing warmer temperatures of 19C. This will continue on Wednesday and Thursday before high temperatures reaching the mid-20s arrive at the end of the week. Highs of around 24C are expected to blast the nation by 3pm on Friday - just in time for the weekend. 24C is expected in Scotland, with warm weather continuing into the weekend. And it looks to stay warm beyond then Brian GazE This will make Scotland as hot as Casablanca, Morocco, as showers ease and brighter spells arrive. It comes as a 14-day 800-mile-wide 'continental swelter' hits the UK, with skies clearing for a sunny run through next week. Hot air is blowing to Scotland from sizzling 40C heat in southern France and Spain. And the Met Office has predicted that the heat will remain until around June 25. Everyone can see the sun in this hot weather scene - but you're a genius if you can spot 5 differences in under 10 seconds Weather maps show that the south of Scotland will see highs of 22C and 23C by Friday afternoon. While temperatures around the central belt will be slightly lower, hovering around 20C and 21C. The east coast will enjoy more of the heat, with Aberdeen, Dundee, Fife and Edinburgh all expected to experience highs of 23C. The west, however, will be notably chillier with highs of 16C in Stranrar, 19C in Ayrshire and 16 across the Western Isles. Those in the Highlands are set to have highs of 21C and 22C, dropping to 17C in areas further north around Wick. The Weather Outlook forecaster Brian Gaze said: '24C is expected in Scotland, with warm weather continuing into the weekend. "And it looks to stay warm beyond then.' A Met Office forecaster added: 'After a changeable mix of sunshine and showers, temperatures look set to rise. 'It will be widely warm or very warm, although with thunderstorms likely. 'The weekend becomes drier, before possibly brief rain, then high pressure sees the following week mainly dry and warm or very warm. UK 5 day weather forecast Today: After a bright start, skies will turn increasingly cloudy through the day. Rain will spread in from the west, moving across Northern Ireland, Scotland and parts of northern England and Wales. Staying dry and warm in the south. Tonight: Outbreaks of rain will continue in the north at first, but will gradually clear to the east in the early hours. Dry and cloudy in the south and increasingly windy. Tuesday: Cloudy for most at first on Tuesday, but skies will gradually brighten across northern areas. Cloudier in the south with drizzly showers, but also feeling humid, warm and breezy. Outlook for Wednesday to Friday: Turning increasingly warm and humid, and feeling hot in the south. Plenty of dry and fine weather, but thundery showers will likely move northwards during Thursday and later on Friday. 'And the period from June 22 also begins with plenty of warm weather.' The Met Office's long-range weather forecast for the end of the month warns that the start of July could see more rain after a warm, dry spell. It states: "High pressure looks like being largely dominant at first, maintaining plenty of mainly dry and warm weather, but with variable cloud amounts. "However, although details are uncertain, late June and early July looks like becoming more changeable. "Spells of rain or showers are probable at times, some of which could be heavy and thundery. "Temperatures are likely to be a little above average overall, with brief hot spells possible."
Scottish Sun
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Full list of road closures in Glasgow with 70 streets to shut as major Hollywood blockbuster starts filming
Read on for the full list of roads that will be closed, plus the exact time they are expected to reopen PLAN AHEAD Full list of road closures in Glasgow with 70 streets to shut as major Hollywood blockbuster starts filming Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DRIVERS have been warned that almost 70 roads in a Scottish city centre will be closed this weekend as filming for a major Hollywood movie gets underway. Motorists in Glasgow have been urged to plan ahead as film crews prepare to descend on the city in the coming days. 3 Drivers have been warned to plan ahead as almost 70 roads are set to close next weekend Credit: Getty 3 The closure comes as filming gets underway for a Hollywood film Credit: Mark Ferguson The unknown flick, directed by JJ Abrams, is set to star Top Gun: Maverick actor Glen Powell and Wednesday lead Jenna Ortega. It's also understood that acting legend Samuel L. Jackson is tipped for a key part in the movie, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Filming for the flick is expected to start over the weekend and will run into next week. However, it means that a number of roads will be closed throughout the city for days as a result. Some closures will kick in as early as tomorrow to stop vehicles from waiting, loading, and unloading in certain streets in preparation for the filming. The closures are being implemented by Glasgow City Council, which has warned that bus and taxi lanes will also be impacted, with a suspension in place. Motorists will not be able to wait, load, and unload on the following streets: From 3pm on June 8, to 6pm on June 18 George Street - between North Hanover Street and Montrose Street From 3pm on June 13, to 6pm on June 16 John Street - for its full length Montrose Street - between George Street and Cochrane Street Glasgow transformed for filming of The Running Man remake as Hollywood star spotted From 3pm on June 15, to 8am on June 23 Blythswood Street - between St Vincent Street and Argyle Street Bothwell Lane - for its full length Bothwell Street - between Pitt Street and Wellington Street Cadogan Street - between Douglas Street and Wellington Street Douglas Street - between St Vincent Street and Cadogan Street Holm Street - between Blythswood Street and Wellington Street Pitt Street - between Waterloo Street and Bothwell Street St Peter's Lane - for its full length St Vincent Lane - between Pitt Street and Wellington Street Washington Lane - for its full length Washington Street - between Broomielaw and Balaclava Street Waterloo Street - between Douglas Street and Wellington Street West Campbell Street - between St Vincent Street and Argyle Street From 3pm on June 18, to 6pm on June 21 Milton Street - between Port Dundas Road and Maitland Street From 3pm on June 19, to 8am on June 21 Dunblane Street - between Milton Street and McPhater Street Maitland Street - between Stewart Street and McPhater Street Stewart Street - between Maitland Street and Dunblane Street McPhater Street - between Port Dundas Road and Dunblane Road The following roads will be closed to drivers as filming gets underway: From 3am to 11.59pm on June 17 Newton Street - between Argyle Street and Broomielaw North Street - between Anderston Quay and Argyle Street From 8am on June 15, until 11.59pm on June 16 Cadogan Street - between West Campbell Street and Douglas Street Blythswood Street - between Waterloo Street and Holm Street Douglas Street - between Cadogan Street and Waterloo Street From 1pm to 11.59pm on June 17 Blythswood Street - between St Vincent Street and Argyle Street Bothwell Lane - for its full length Bothwell Street - between Pitt Street and Wellington Street Cadogan Street - between Douglas Street and Wellington Street Douglas Street - between St Vincent Street and Cadogan Street Holm Street - between Blythswood Street and Wellington Street Pitt Street - between Waterloo Street and Bothwell Street St Peter's Lane - for its full length St Vincent Lane - between Pitt Street and Wellington Street Washington Lane - for its full length Washington Street - between Broomielaw and Balaclava Street Waterloo Street - between Douglas Street and Wellington Street West Campbell Street - between St Vincent Street and Argyle Street From 8am June 18, until 11.59pm on June 23 Cadogan Street - between West Campbell Street and Douglas Street Blythswood Street - between Waterloo Street and Holm Street Douglas Street - between Cadogan Street and Waterloo Street (access to car park only) From 9am June 16, to 8am June 19 Blythswood Street - between St Vincent Street and Waterloo Street Bothwell Street - between Pitt Street and Hope Street Douglas Street - between St Vincent Street and Waterloo Street St Vincent Lane - between Pitt Street and Hope Street Wellington Street - between St Vincent Street and Waterloo Street West Campbell Street - between St Vincent Street and Waterloo Street From 8am June 18, to 6pm June 21 Pitt Street - between St Vincent Street and Bothwell Street St Vincent Lane - between Pitt Street and Douglas Street Top filming location BACK in November, Glasgow was transformed into a dystopian New York as filming got underway for The Running Man, a reboot of the classic Arnold Schwarzenegger film. Glen Powell was spotted filming in and around the city, and he even popped into The Locale in Charing Cross for a wrap party. Rumours are swirling that director Abrams' new film is an 80s throwback loosely inspired by The Last Starfighter, but the title remains unknown. And more filming crews are set to swarm the city for Spider-Man 4. Some scenes being shot will reportedly 'involve vehicles on the road', with crews anticipating that Bothwell Street will be the focal point. It is understood that the Glasgow-based shoot for the upcoming Marvel blockbuster will commence in mid-August. Other films that have been shot in the city over recent years include World War Z, which used George Square to represent Philadelphia, and was also transformed into Gotham City for Batgirl and The Batman. Other notable films shot in Glasgow include Skyfall, Avengers: Infinity War, Fast & Furious 6, Trainspotting, and Perfect Sense. From 8am on June 20, to 8am on June 21 Dunblane Street - between Milton Street and McPhater Street Maitland Street - between Stewart Street and McPhater Street Milton Street - between Port Dundas Road and Maitland Street Stewart Street - between Maitland Street and Dunblane Street Larbert Street - between Milton Street and McPhater Street From 8am on June 19, until 11.59pm on June 20 Blythswood Street - between St Vincent Street and Waterloo Street Bothwell Lane - between Blythswood Street and West Campbell Street Bothwell Street - between Douglas Street and West Campbell Street St Peters Lane - between Douglas Street and Blythswood Street St Vincent Street - between Douglas Street and West Campbell Street From 3am on June 20, to 8am on June 21 Blythswood - between St Vincent street and Bothwell Street Bothwell Street - between Pitt Street and West Campbell Street Douglas Street - between St Vincent Street and Waterloo Street St Vincent Lane - between Pitt Street and Hope Street West Campbell Street - between St Vincent Street and Bothwell Street From 3pm on June 20, to 8am on June 21 Cadogan Street - between West Campbell Street and Douglas Street Blythswood Street - between Bothwell Street and Holm Street Douglas Street - between Cadogan Street and St Vincent Street Bothwell Street - between Pitt Street and Blythswood Street From 12.01am on June 21, to 7am on June 23 Blythswood Street - between St Vincent Street and Waterloo Street Bothwell Lane - between Blythswood Street and Wellington Street Bothwell Street - between Pitt Street and Hope Street Cadogan Street - between Douglas Street and Wellington Street Douglas Street - between St Vincent Street and Waterloo Street Holm Street - for its full length St Peters Lane - for its full length St Vincent Lane - between Pitt Street and Hope Street St Vincent Street - between West Campbell Street and Pitt Street Waterloo Street - between Douglas Street and Wellington Street Wellington Lane - for its full length Wellington Street - between St Vincent Street and Waterloo Street West Campbell Street - between St Vincent Street and Waterloo Street From 8am to 11.59pm on June 22 Blythswood Street - between St Vincent Street and Waterloo Street Bothwell Lane - between Blythswood Street and West Campbell Street Bothwell Street - between Douglas Street and West Campbell Street St Peter's Lane - between Douglas Street and Blythswood Street St Vincent Street - between Douglas Street and West Campbell Street Bus lanes will also be impacted with a suspension in place on several routes. These include: From 1pm on June 17, to 8am on June 19 Hope Street at Waterloo Street From 12.01am on June 21, to 7am on June 23 Hope Street at Waterloo Street
