SALFORD RED
26-07-2008, 02:45 AM
Ferguson has said he will retire in three years' time.
Sir Alex Ferguson says he is unlikely to take charge
of a Great Britain football team at the London Olympics.
London 2012 Organising Committee chairman Lord Coe
told BBC 5 Live he had discussed the matter with the
Manchester United boss.
But Ferguson said: "I will be 70 in 2012.
I've not made any commitment to anything like that.
"I would not, in any way, shape or form, try and commit
myself to something that is four years ahead."
Coe believes Ferguson, who plans to leave his Old Trafford
post in the next three years, is the ideal candidate to lead
the British side in London.
"I would love to have him there because he is a phenomenal
coach and a great man manager," he said.
"We have had a few conversations, but I stress that it is
for the British Olympic Association and the Football Association
to make that judgement and I leave it with them."
The inclusion of a Great Britain football team at the London Games
has sparked huge controversy, with the FAs of Scotland,
Wales and Northern Ireland concerned it may compromise
their individual status within Fifa.
President of football's world governing body, Sepp Blatter,
has said it would be better for GB to enter a team featuring
players from just England to avoid such a scenario.
But as it is the BOA which selects teams for the Games,
it has decided to press ahead with plans to include a
football team despite the opposition.
.
Sir Alex Ferguson says he is unlikely to take charge
of a Great Britain football team at the London Olympics.
London 2012 Organising Committee chairman Lord Coe
told BBC 5 Live he had discussed the matter with the
Manchester United boss.
But Ferguson said: "I will be 70 in 2012.
I've not made any commitment to anything like that.
"I would not, in any way, shape or form, try and commit
myself to something that is four years ahead."
Coe believes Ferguson, who plans to leave his Old Trafford
post in the next three years, is the ideal candidate to lead
the British side in London.
"I would love to have him there because he is a phenomenal
coach and a great man manager," he said.
"We have had a few conversations, but I stress that it is
for the British Olympic Association and the Football Association
to make that judgement and I leave it with them."
The inclusion of a Great Britain football team at the London Games
has sparked huge controversy, with the FAs of Scotland,
Wales and Northern Ireland concerned it may compromise
their individual status within Fifa.
President of football's world governing body, Sepp Blatter,
has said it would be better for GB to enter a team featuring
players from just England to avoid such a scenario.
But as it is the BOA which selects teams for the Games,
it has decided to press ahead with plans to include a
football team despite the opposition.
.