Alex Ferguson out of coma and speaking to hospital visitors

Preston boss Alex Neil has wished fellow Scot Sir Alex Ferguson a speedy recovery after the former Manchester United manager underwent emergency surgery following a brain haemorrhage.

Jones was signed from Blackburn by Ferguson as a 19-year-old in June 2011 and was part of the Scot’s final title-winning squad in 2013 before his retirement in May that year after winning 38 trophies during 26 years in charge. After five years at White Hart Lane, he had a brief two year spell at Portsmouth, before returning to Spurs for another six year stint.

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According to the Daily Mail surgery went “very well” and those close to him are cautiously optimistic about his recovery. Darren Ferguson has been hit hard by his father’s illness.

Ferguson is now awake and talking with with family and friends, much to the relief of supporters from across the globe, and details of his first words after the operation have emerged.

“I don’t know how he found the time, but outside of football he is knowledgeable about horse racing, about wine, literature – an wonderful man in every respect”.

Yesterday, Sir Alex was reportedly sitting up and talking to the family and friends who are by his side at the Salford Royal Hospital in Manchester.

The 76-year-old Ferguson retired from managing in 2013 after nearly 27 years in charge of Manchester United but he has continued to regularly attend matches and participate in UEFA coaching initiatives. Thoughts with all the family at this sad time.

Jones is one of those now at United who was signed by Ferguson, having joined from Blackburn in 2011, and the England global has described how pivotal his old manager was in helping him settle in.

Messages of support flooded in from the football world after the shock news on Saturday that Ferguson had been rushed to hospital.

When he became boss at Norwich City in January 2015, Neil revealed Sir Alex had contacted him to wish him luck.

“The procedure has gone very well but he needs a period of intensive care to optimise his recovery”.