Alex Ferguson almost had Manchester United relegated in his first year!
Au contraire youthful Tails...when Ferguson started ManUre were 20th in a 22 team league, which is why the Orange One got the sack.
By season's end they'd risen to a semi respectable 11th, losing just 6 of 29 games, and proving difficult to beat. In other words some progress. He also managed a double over Liverpool, again the sort of result which gain you some leeway.