Sir Alex Ferguson aka Fergie, who has been with English professional football club Manchester United FC for 26 years, is retiring. The news was confirmed by the club just minutes ago. This is coming after rumours about his future in Manchester United being shrouded in doubt as he was giving serious consideration to ending his reign as longtime manager.
At first, sources and senior figures from the club refused to respond to repeated attempts to confirm or deny the story. But now fans and friends of Manchester United FC can finally put the rumours to rest:
He has also released a statement following the official announcement which says:
The decision to retire is one that I have thought a great deal about. 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.
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.
His Manchester United trophies are as follows:
- 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 will step down as Manchester United manager and join the football club board, taking on the roles of both Director and Ambassador at the end of the season.
Thank you, Sir Alex!
Sources: The Independent, BBC.