Sir Alex Ferguson to retire from Manchester United

Sir Alex Ferguson will step down as Manchester United manager at the end of the season after 26 years in charge.

The Scot, 71, has won 38 trophies since taking over from Ron Atkinson on 6 November 1986, including this season's Premier League title.

His haul includes 13 titles, two Champions League crowns, five FA Cups and four League Cups.

"The decision to retire is one that I have thought a great deal about. It is the right time," Ferguson said.

"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.


Ferguson, who will take on the dual role of director and ambassador for United, praised the people he felt helped him build the club into one of the biggest in the world

"I must pay tribute to my family, their love and support has been essential," he added.

"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."

Ferguson is the most successful manager in the history of the British game and famously won a treble in 1999.

He is undergoing a hip operation during the summer.

Bookmakers have made Everton manager David Moyes odds-on favourite to take over at Old Trafford.

The Scot is out of contract in the summer at Goodison Park having delayed talks on a new deal until the end of the season.

Ferguson gave no indication he was thinking over his future when writing Sunday's programme notes against Chelsea.

He said: "I certainly don't have any plans at the moment to walk away from what I believe will be something special."

But rumours of his retirement filtered out after the club's end-of-season players versus coaches golf day at Dunham Massey, Greater Manchester on Tuesday afternoon.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22447018

Alex Ferguson's Man Utd trophies

Premier League: 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013.

FA Cup: 1990, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004

League Cup: 1992, 2006, 2009, 2010

Champions League: 1999, 2008

Cup Winners Cup: 1991

Fifa Club World Cup: 2008

Uefa Super Cup: 1992

Inter-Continental Cup: 1999

FA Charity/Community Shield: 1990 (shared), 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011

SIR ALEX FERGUSON

Former Manchester United midfielder and current Blackpool boss Paul Ince tells Sky Sports: I'm totally shocked. What's he's done in unbelievable. You'll never see anyone of his kind again.

"Two weeks ago he was talking about staying on for another two years, so it's a massive, massive shock. The way he treated me was like a son."


SIR ALEX FERGUSON

Ian Stirling, of the Independent Man United Supporters Association, tells the BBC News channel: "What you have is a large proportion of the crowd who only know Sir Alex Ferguson as the manager.

"They don't remember the past managers. It is going to be an interesting time for these supporters. Older Reds like myself remember the transitional periods and it can be dangerous times."


SIR ALEX FERGUSON

More from Manchester United chief executive David Gill: "The way he cares for this club, his staff and for the football family in general is something that I admire. It is a side to him that is often hidden from public view but it is something that I have been privileged to witness in the last 16 years.

"What he has done for this club and for the game in general will never be forgotten. It has been the greatest experience of my working life being alongside Alex and a great honour to be able to call him a friend."


SIR ALEX FERGUSON

Manchester United chief executive David Gill says: "I've had the tremendous pleasure of working very closely with Alex for 16 unforgettable years - through the Treble, the double, countless trophy wins and numerous signings.

"We knew that his retirement would come one day and we both have been planning for it by ensuring the quality of the squad and club structures are in first class condition.

"Alex's vision, energy and ability have built teams - both on and off the pitch - that his successor can count on as among the best and most loyal in world sport."



Manchester United co-chairman Avie Glazer says: "I am delighted to announce that Alex has agreed to stay with the club as a director.

"His contributions to Manchester United over the last 26 years have been extraordinary and, like all United fans, I want him to be a part of its future."

Manchester United co-chairman Joel Glazer says: "Alex has proven time and time again what a fantastic manager he is but he's also a wonderful person. His determination to succeed and dedication to the club have been truly remarkable.

"I will always cherish the wonderful memories he has given us, like that magical night in Moscow."

Sir Alex Ferguson also thanks the Manchester United fans for their support over the decades.

"The support you have provided over the years has been truly humbling," says Ferguson.

"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."

Sir Alex Ferguson also thanks the Manchester United fans for their support over the decades.

"The support you have provided over the years has been truly humbling," says Ferguson.

"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."

More from Sir Alex Ferguson: "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."

On announcing his decision to retire, Sir Alex Ferguson says: "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."

oh no!!!!

official statment from Manutd.com

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2013/May/sir-alex-ferguson-to-retire-as-manchester-united-manager.aspx

Sir Alex Ferguson was unveiled as manager of Manchester United on 7 November 1986 - 26 years and 38 trophies later, he announces his retirement.

Former Manchester United midfielder Paddy Crerand tells BBC Radio 5 live: "I was down at Old Trafford yesterday and there was no hint of this happening. I am stunned by it. There was talk on the bookies closing shop on David Moyes and I thought that was just the usual made up stuff.

"The problem is that Alex has a great staff there and he admits that is one of the reasons he has been successful. Usually a guy comes in and wants his own people in. Is that going to happen?

"Who are the top managers out there or will they keep it within the club? I was at Manchester United when Matt Busby retired and all the talk was about how he was the dominant force. I thought that was created from outside. I don't think that was a problem."

Here is Sir Alex Ferguson applauding fans during his 1000th game in charge of Manchester United. Any idea what year this was and who the opponents were?

Former Manchester United striker Michael Owen: "It's just not sinking in! Manchester United with no Sir Alex just doesn't feel right. What a man and great that it has ended on his terms. What a privilege to have played under arguably the best manager the world has ever seen. His record will surely never be eclipsed. Simply astonishing to read through his managerial record of achievements."

The old man took the easy way out.. ran away cuz of the SPECIAL ONE's arrival ...

Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) chief executive Gordon Taylor says Sir Alex Ferguson would be "the toughest act to follow".

"The game of football will be a lot poorer place without him. He has been quite simply the best. He followed in Sir Matt Busby's footsteps and even surpassed him," he says.

"He will be also be the toughest act to follow."

Fifa president Sepp Blatter: "Just heard Sir Alex Ferguson is retiring at end of season. His achievements in the game place him without doubt as one of the 'greats'. Was honour to present Sir Alex with award at 2011 Ballon D'Or. Will his longevity at the top ever be repeated?"

too weak to wonder

Monday is d date

1) thank you all

2)i am here to stay.

On Real Madrid's hopes of signing Cristiano Ronaldo: "Do you think I would get into a contract with that mob? Jesus Christ, no chance. I wouldn't sell them a virus."

Sports Minister Hugh Robertson says: "Sir Alex Ferguson is one of the greatest British managers of all time and has been an incredible servant to Manchester United, bringing the club unprecedented success domestically and in Europe.

"His enthusiasm for our national game is boundless and I congratulate him on a remarkable managerial career.''


Manchester United fans in Russia have given their reaction to BBC Russian (in Russian):

_safonov says: "A whole era at Manchester United is over. The new coach will need to have a victor's spirit and an endless love of chewing gum."

Dreamer2_rus says: "This is the end of an era not only in the history of Manchester United, but also in the history of the whole of English football."

beslanu says: "A whole generation of football fans has grown up with Manchester United and Ferguson. Without him, no-one will remember, know or imagine Manchester United."

Celtic manager Neil Lennon: "The game just won't be the same without Sir Alex… what a contribution he has made to the game… doubt anyone will ever replicate it."


FERGUSON FACT

Sir Alex Ferguson's all-time Manchester United record (from 06/11/1986):

Played: 1604

Won: 965

Drawn: 360

Lost: 279

One of his best quotes: On Ryan Giggs: "I remember the first time I saw him. He was 13 and just floated over the ground like a cocker spaniel chasing a piece of silver paper in the wind."

Stuart Carr: "Even his enemies will miss him! Legend of Manchester United and the footballing world! Great loss!"

Thomas McDonald: "The way he continually managed to build top teams and knowing when to and not being afraid to sell his star players."

Declan Taggart: "Going to be weird not seeing Sir Alex at United next season."

HARDDON: His wave of wonders is a joy across generations

Uefa president Michel Platini: "Sir Alex has made a massive contribution to football, not only in Scotland and in England, but across Europe and beyond. His dedication, his attention to detail and his unique eye for talent, as both the manager of Manchester United and Aberdeen, has brought rich rewards over a 30-year period.

"His CV is almost unique in a results-based profession that normally focuses on short-term solutions rather than long-term vision."

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville on Sky Sports: "As a fan I'm sad and gutted, as a player I'm grateful and privileged to have worked with the greatest manager of our time, and from this point [in front of the cameras] we've lost the greatest manager of our time. It's just a loss all around. I was shocked but you have to respect his decision.

"If you have 499 employees at Manchester United you had 499 mini-mes of him. He's the last of a kind, he really maintained traditional values and a family atmosphere. He immersed himself in Manchester United and has taken them to a point of dominance now.

"It's always been a day that Manchester United fans have dreaded but the club will move on without Sir Alex Ferguson."

"[What was his greatest achievement?] The longevity of doing what he did in Scotland and England is incredible and to do that for so long is unbelievable and I don't think we'll see it again."


It's not impossible' to follow Ferguson
David Gill insisted last night that succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson was “not an impossible job” as Manchester United prepare to

announce the appointment of David Moyes as their new manager today. Although Gill refused to be drawn on the identity of Ferguson’s

successor, The Times understands that United will confirm that Moyes has been given the daunting task of succeeding the most

successful British manager of all time. Ferguson announced his retirement yesterday morning after 26½ years at Old Trafford and the

71-year-old Scot will bring down the curtain on a glorious career on the final day of the Barclays Premier League season on May 19,

when United face West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns in what will be his 1,500th game in charge of the club. Moyes, 50, whose

contract with Everton expires this summer, will then be handed the reins as he bids to follow in the footsteps of a manager who has

won 13 Premier League titles and two European Cups. The Everton manager travelled to London yesterday and was expected to have

talks with Bill Kenwright, the chairman. Everton face a decision on whether to leave Moyes in charge for their final home game of

the season, against West Ham United. “I don’t know if it’s the great unknown, but change always increases the element of risk,”

Gill said. “Lots of jobs are deemed to be impossible. I don’t think it’s an impossible job, you are coming in with a very

impressive support structure on and off the pitch in terms of the players and facilities."


Steve Bruce
“When you play for him, his winning mentality rubs off on you. He is so driven and determined, and he works so hard that it seems to rub off on a lot of people - it’s no surprise that a few of his old players have gone into management or coaching. He wants to beat you as a manager and he does that constantly, but he offers you a bit of encouragement and is always there on the end of the telephone. He has humility from his past background that means he treats the grounds staff just the same as he treats his star centre forward. I wish him a happy retirement, which I’m sure he’ll have.”

Dwight Yorke
“Sir Alex still had the hunger, he has very high standards and it is all about winning trophies and breaking records but there is more to the man. The way they lost the
Premier League last season would have hurt him immensely, certainly losing it to Manchester City, so he wanted to regain it and that was his prime objective this year. He has managed to do that and he has done it in a great way with great style. So in many respects, that is the reason why he has decided to retire. By doing all of that, with the hip operation and David Gill going, I think he feels it is the right time to go.”


Paul Ince
“I was one of the fortunate ones who spent six fantastic years at Manchester United. I remember the day I joined, I failed my medical and I thought my move was going to collapse. He treated me like a son and I will never forget that moment. It was great to play under such a man; he was so demanding and his standards were so high. Yes, we had our ups and downs but so did most of the players during the 1992/93 season because we were winners, but as far as total respect is concerned, the man was immense and he got the best out of me as a player, that’s for sure.”

"Even if United get Mourinho, with Klopp as assistant, Pep as kit man and Moyes making tea it won't be the same as Fergie!"


Opta Joe: "The only British team Manchester United have faced under Sir Alex Ferguson but never beaten are Southend United. Bogey."