Alan Brazil opened up about a dangerous dust-up he had with former Ipswich Town gaffer

Alan Brazil is a popular personality on the radio and in football, but his relationship with one of his former managers nearly resulted in a terrible brawl.

Alan Brazil spoke out about a serious altercation he had with former Ipswich Town manager Bobby Ferguson.

The TalkSPORT radio broadcaster formerly played for Manchester United and Tottenham, but achieved his greatest success with the Tractor Boys. During his time at Portman Road, he was part of Sir Bobby Robson’s teams who won the FA Cup and UEFA Cup in 1978 and 1981, respectively.

Brazil developed a close bond with Robson throughout their time in East Anglia. Unfortunately for him, when Ferguson took over after Robson became England manager in 1982, things were very different, and the two did not agree.

Ferguson only had Brazil on his roster for one season, but it was enough time for sparks to erupt. During an appearance on the Formula for Success podcast, Brazil revealed details about the duo’s violent argument.

“What happened was Bobby Robson went off to do other things, and there was this new guy who came in [as Ipswich manager] called Bobby Ferguson, and we did not get on, okay,” recalled the 64-year-old.

“A couple of times in the baths – you know, these enormous communal tubs – he’d come in and have a go at me, and eventually I just said, ‘Come on, let’s have it. And he’d jump up and say, “Come on, give us your best shot.”

“Then another time I was up in the gymnasium, we were arguing. And I asked, ‘What’s wrong with you? “You just hate me.” He asked, ‘What’d you say?

“He was a Geordie, but others assumed he was Scottish because his name was Bobby Ferguson. But he wasn’t. He was a Geordie. And I finally said, ‘You’re a Jock with no brains,’ and that was it. He had a backpack containing approximately 20 keys.

“He hurled it at me, and if he had struck me, he would have killed me. He’s ordered everyone out, grabbed the keys, dashed over, and locked the gymnasium entrance.

“Everyone ran down the steps, around the corner, and up the other stairs to a viewing balcony – it was like the meerkats, with small heads popping up to see who was going to see the battle. It was craziness; I needed to get out of there.”

Brazil managed to avoid the great coach and his keys. He then left Portman Road to join Tottenham, leaving a year later for United in 1984.

Despite winning the FA Cup in 1985, Brazil’s time at Old Trafford was plagued by a serious back injury that slowed his career. He was then abruptly transferred to Coventry City as part of a swap deal that brought Terry Gibson to Old Trafford in 1986.