The 2011 TIME 100 Poll

Cast your votes for the leaders, artists, innovators, icons and heroes that you think are the most influential people in the world. Though official voting for inclusion on the TIME 100 list has now closed (with Rain as the 2011 readers' choice), users can continue to vote for their favorites until the final list, selected by our editors, is revealed on Thursday, April 21st

TIME 100 Candidates

Alex Ferguson

By TIME StaffMonday, Apr. 04, 2011
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Jamie McDonald / Getty Images

Age: 69
Occupation: Manchester United manager
Previous TIME 100 appearances: 0

In 1986, when Alex Ferguson took over at perhaps the world's most popular soccer team, Manchester United, he said he wanted to knock hated rivals Liverpool off their perch (you can read the rather ruder quote if you Google it). Despite a shaky start, he recently became the longest-ever serving United manager, winning over 30 trophies and getting a knighthood from the Queen for his stellar services to soccer. If his current charges win this season's league title, United will have 19 domestic championships to Liverpool's 18 and Fergie can retire with his aim achieved.

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