Sir Alex Ferguson Retire from Manchester United
Sir Alex Ferguson will retire as Manchester United manager at the end of the season in the 27th year of a tenure that has made him the most successful in British football.
While he will become a United director and ambassador, the executive are now charged with having to appoint the successor to a man who has won 13 league titles, two Champions Leagues, the Cup Winners' Cup, five FA Cups and four League Cups. In February, Ed Woodward, the incoming chief executive, said there was plan in place for when the Scot did step down.
Regarding his decision, Ferguson said: "The decision to retire is one that I have thought a great deal about and one that I have not taken lightly. It is the right time. It was important to me to leave an organisation in the strongest possible shape and I believe I have done so. The quality of this league winning squad, and the balance of ages within it, bodes well for continued success at the highest level whilst the structure of the youth set-up will ensure that the long- term future of the club remains a bright one.
"Our training facilities are amongst the finest in global sport and our home Old Trafford is rightfully regarded as one of the leading venues in the world. Going forward, I am delighted to take on the roles of both director and ambassador for the club. With these activities, along with my many other interests, I am looking forward to the future. I must pay tribute to my family, their love and support has been essential. My wife Cathy has been the key figure throughout my career, providing a bedrock of both stability and encouragement. Words are not enough to express what this has meant to me.
"As for my players and staff, past and present, I would like to thank them all for a staggering level of professional conduct and dedication that has helped to deliver so many memorable triumphs. Without their contribution the history of this great club would not be as rich. In my early years, the backing of the board, and Sir Bobby Charlton in particular, gave me the confidence and time to build a football club, rather than just a football team.
"Over the past decade, the Glazer family have provided me with the platform to manage Manchester United to the best of my ability and I have been extremely fortunate to have worked with a talented and trustworthy chief executive in David Gill. I am truly grateful to all of them.
"To the fans, thank you. The support you have provided over the years has been truly humbling. It has been an honour and an enormous privilege to have had the opportunity to lead your club and I have treasured my time as manager of Manchester United."
The sudden nature of Ferguson's departure is in keeping with how the Scot stated he would leave the post after he trailed a first retirement during the 2001/2 season before performing a U-turn.
Ferguson in numbers
1: Knighthood from the Queen in June 1999
2: Champions League titles against Bayern Munich in 1999 and Chelsea in 2008
5: Teams managed by Ferguson - East Stirling 1974, St Mirren 1975-78, Aberdeen 1978-1986, Scotland 1985-86, Man Utd 1986-2013
6: Clubs as a player - Queen's Park, St Johnstone, Dunfermline, Rangers, Falkirk, Ayr
9: Scottish and English FA Cup titles
17: Games missed due to touchline bans.
26: Years since United had won the title before Ferguson's triumph in 1993
38: Trophies won at Old Trafford
49: Trophies won as a manager with Manchester United, Aberdeen and St Mirren.
104: Players bought while at Manchester United. The last was Wilfried Zaha, signed from Crystal Palace for fee rising to £15m in January and loaned back to Palace.
170: Goals scored during his playing career
370: Appearances as a player
1498: Games at Manchester United, with 894 wins, 337 draws and 267 defeats
Was it the right time for Sir Alex Ferguson to retire?
We asked you what you think - should Sir Alex Ferguson have retired now? Here's a selection of your comments.
"He should retire so that all the other Premier League teams can have a go at winning, although he is a great manager." by Luke, Manchester, England
"I'm proud that he's leaving so other unsuccessful clubs like Wigan can beat them." by Amir, Kent, England
"I think he should retire after all the successes he's had and Jose Mourinho should take his place." by Ethan, Belfast, Northern Ireland
"He shouldn't retire, otherwise Man United will go downhill, especially against Swansea now they know their manager is retiring." by Jennifer, Crewe, England
"I'm glad as he was a rival!" by Josh, England
"I think that Alex shouldn't leave because Manchester United are my team. He is an awesome manager and no one could ever replace him. Luckily, my family have got tickets to see him on Sunday for the last time and for the after party." by Maria, Warwickshire, England
"NOOOOOO!!! I love Manchester United and for Alex Ferguson to leave is a massive decision! I can't believe it, however thanks to Alex - he did Manchester United proud!" by Amina, Bradford, England
"Alex Ferguson should not quit, I support Manchester United and he is the best coach ever!!!" by Joshua, Essex, England
"I don't think that Alex Ferguson should retire because to me he is the best manager ever. My family and I support Manchester United and we don't want any other manager because he is the best, but goodbye Alex!!!" by Cameron, Wolverhampton, England
"I think Sir Alex Ferguson has done a great job being a coach for Manchester United and I wish he would never retire! Thank you Sir Alex Ferguson!" by Annika, Bangkok, Thailand
"I think Sir Alex Ferguson should not leave. He has been the best leader for Manchester United yet and has led the team to victory many times. When he leaves I will be upset." by Liam, Liverpool, England
"I don't want Sir Alex Ferguson to retire because United are not going to be the best team in the world anymore." Rahma, Birmingham, England
"He should stay with Manchester United until they win another major tournament so he can go out with a bang!" by Douglas, Tiptree, England
"I don't think Sir Alex Ferguson should retire for another year unless Mourinho is willing to take his place." by Husaam, Dewsbury, England
"I don't want Sir Alex Ferguson to go even though I am a Newcastle supporter, because he's won 20 titles with Man United - I think he can go on to win more." by Bradley, Lincoln, England
"Yes I do think Sir Alex Ferguson should leave so that Man United can leave the title open for my favourite team Chelsea." by Matthew, London, England
"I don't think he should retire yet because he's a great manager and he could last a few more years. He could win more cups for Manchester United." by Cameron, Cardiff, Wales
"I don't want him to leave because he is the best manager in the world." by Hayden, Manchester, England
"I think Sir Alex Ferguson should retire as he has been manager at Manchester United for many years and he is going to have a hip operation." by Archie and Lilly, Crewe, England
"If Alex Ferguson retires I will be so sad as he is the most epic manager in the world. If he retires I think Man United should hire the current Bayern Munich or Real Madrid manager." by Christopher, Kirkintilloch, Scotland
"He has been a great manager so far at Manchester United and Aberdeen. He should manage for one more season, then retire. My granddad used to work beside him!" by Joe, Aberdour, Scotland
"I think he should stay a bit longer as I support Man United and I want us to win another title and he is the best manager in the Premier League and even maybe the world!" James, Great Barr, England
"Please don't let Alex retire, he is one of the best managers in the football business. If he leaves then Man United will probably fall to pieces and as a supporter I want them to be at their best." Beatrice, Mortlake, England
"He should retire. Sir Alex has been a manager for United for 26 years. It is time that he should retire." by Arjun, Cambridge, England
"He should go because then Liverpool and clubs like that can finally beat Manchester United!" by Ash, Malvern, England
