I WONDER if Britain's captains of industry will take a tip from Sir Alex Ferguson when next they try to motivate their workforce?

We've all heard of the inspirational gurus who suggest walking over burning coals or a weekend on Dartmoor as a way of building team morale. But sticking the boot into your company's most lucrative income source seems a little unconventional.

Will we now hear of Tony Blair hurling china tea cups full of steaming Earl Grey at Gordon Brown if the economy falters? And perhaps the chairman of Tesco could bring new meaning to the phrase stocks and shares. If the share prices falls, store bosses could be put in the stocks and pelted with fruit and veg from the fresh food department.

Already there have been suggestions from the usual sources that Sir Alex is 'losing it' and needs to undergo some anger management counselling sessions.

What utter rubbish. Fergie's job is to make sure Manchester United keep winning and the result against Juventus suggests his spat with Becks had the desired affect.

A football manager faces a rare challenge in handling those directly under his charge. In most businesses the recruits have a similar background in terms of qualifications, and what happens out of work hours is largely irrelevant.

But in football a manager has to deal with players ranging from the intellectual to those as daft as a brush. His staff range from teenage boys to worldly-wise married men in their thirties. The only comparison I can think of is a Sgt Major on the eve of the Second World War faced with the task of knocking into shape a mixed bag of conscripts.

Though, of course, the other major factor is not one that concerned such 'volunteers'. A modern-day top-flight footballer has no financial pressures. He earns so much and his talents are in such demand he can just walk away if he doesn't like the boss.

Sir Alex has a wonderful record of success but now he faces the toughest decision - and it has nothing to do with team selection. It's deciding when he himself walks away.

I've seen police inspectors who have tried to enforce their will by bullying constables, rather than leading by example. But the day always comes when one of the subordinates has had enough and has their boss in a headlock or up against a wall. The mystique is shattered, respect has gone.

It would be interesting to know the true facts about how David Beckham reacted in the seconds after he was hit by the flying boot.

Sir Alex has won everything there is to win in the game but he drew a blank last year and will want to go out on a high. Brian Clough was a great manager but many felt he hung on too long: ultimately his final season in charge saw Nottingham Forest relegated.

Having been despatched from the FA Cup, Fergie will be even more determined to win the Premiership and Champions League - the final of which is at Old Trafford.

Success may depend on whether he still carries the belief of his players as Arsene Wenger does at Arsenal.

Just imagine if Arsenal win the Champions League and it is Wenger who parades the trophy around Old Trafford. I wouldn't want to be Sir Alex's cat if that happens.