End of an era as Ferguson decides to retire
Source: Agencies |
May 9, 2013, Thursday
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ALEX Ferguson, Britain's longest-serving and most decorated soccer manager, will retire at the end of the season after more than 26 years and nearly 1,500 matches at the helm of Manchester United, the Scot announced yesterday.
The 71-year-old ended intense speculation that he was about to call time on his career by confirming he would step aside after champion United's last game of the English Premier League season at West Bromwich Albion on May 19.
His decision ends a glittering era at Old Trafford in which the club won 13 English league titles, two European Cups, five FA Cups and four League Cups as well as the FIFA Club World Cup.
Ferguson arrived in Manchester in 1986 after Ron Atkinson was sacked and, after a difficult start, began building an empire that shows no sign of crumbling with the club recapturing the English title from Manchester City this season.
Ending United's 25-year wait for the English title in 1992-93 proved to be the catalyst for two decades of domination despite the challenges of Arsenal, Chelsea and more recently City.
"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," Ferguson, who has been in charge of 1,498 matches for the club, winning nearly 900 of them, said on the club's website.
United said Ferguson, who is to undergo hip surgery during the offseason, would remain at the club as a director.
"It was important to me to leave an organization in the strongest possible shape and I believe I have done so," added Glasgow-born Ferguson who had said he would retire after the 2001-02 season before changing his mind.
The former Glasgow Rangers' striker's managerial career began with Scottish lower league club East Stirlingshire in 1974 and saw him win 49 major trophies in all, including at Aberdeen.
The suddenness of his decision left some who served under him in a state of disbelief. "I'm shocked, it's a bombshell," said former United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, who was part of the 1998-99 team that won the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter called him one of "the greats". "His achievements in the game place him without doubt as one of the greats. Will his longevity at the top ever be repeated?" Blatter asked.
The 71-year-old ended intense speculation that he was about to call time on his career by confirming he would step aside after champion United's last game of the English Premier League season at West Bromwich Albion on May 19.
His decision ends a glittering era at Old Trafford in which the club won 13 English league titles, two European Cups, five FA Cups and four League Cups as well as the FIFA Club World Cup.
Ferguson arrived in Manchester in 1986 after Ron Atkinson was sacked and, after a difficult start, began building an empire that shows no sign of crumbling with the club recapturing the English title from Manchester City this season.
Ending United's 25-year wait for the English title in 1992-93 proved to be the catalyst for two decades of domination despite the challenges of Arsenal, Chelsea and more recently City.
"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," Ferguson, who has been in charge of 1,498 matches for the club, winning nearly 900 of them, said on the club's website.
United said Ferguson, who is to undergo hip surgery during the offseason, would remain at the club as a director.
"It was important to me to leave an organization in the strongest possible shape and I believe I have done so," added Glasgow-born Ferguson who had said he would retire after the 2001-02 season before changing his mind.
The former Glasgow Rangers' striker's managerial career began with Scottish lower league club East Stirlingshire in 1974 and saw him win 49 major trophies in all, including at Aberdeen.
The suddenness of his decision left some who served under him in a state of disbelief. "I'm shocked, it's a bombshell," said former United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, who was part of the 1998-99 team that won the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter called him one of "the greats". "His achievements in the game place him without doubt as one of the greats. Will his longevity at the top ever be repeated?" Blatter asked.
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