Sir Alex Ferguson moves upstairs

Sir Alex Ferguson, 71, has announced his retirement from competitive football after 26 years as manager of Manchester United FC but will remain involved in the game as director and ambassador of the club. The successor? Mourinho? Try David Moyes, who in eleven years at Everton has won nothing.

Sir Alex Ferguson moves upstairs. 50047.jpeg

Sir Alex Ferguson has won 38 trophies at Manchester United, after he was almost sacked for poor performances. His total includes 13 League championships, 2 Champions League titles, 5 FA Cups, 4 League Cups, the FIFA World Club Championship, 10 FA Charity/Community Shields, the Inter-Continental Cup, , the UEFA Super Cup, the Cup-Winners' Cup and before this he won a further 11 trophies in Scotland: the First Division title with Saint Mirren in 1977, then with Aberdeen, 3 Scottish Championship titles, four Scottish FA Cups, one League Cup and the European Cup-Winners' Cup against real Madrid in 1983.

Manchester United:

1,498 games; 894 wins, 337 draws, 267 defeats

Sir Alex Ferguson believes the time is now right to hand over to his successor, who, if it turns out to be David Moyes, eleven years keeping Everton in the top flight of English football on a reduced budget, and betting on young players, from the same area of Glasgow as Sir Alex, may cause some surprise. However, Moyes is a personal friend of Sir Alex, who will remain in the club as director and ambassador.

Ferguson has chosen the moment because he believes the club is in good shape, with a good set of young players coming through and sitting on top of English football, if not the world stage.

The other name is José Mourinho... however the Real Madrid coach has been linked by soccer gossips to his former employer, Chelsea FC.

Ferguson's retirement speech

"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."

Timothy Bancroft-Hinchey

Pravda.Ru