Sir Alex Ferguson sets retirement date

[spellbound]

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed to family and friends that he intends to retire - at the end of next season.

The 66-year-old Manchester United boss even considered walking away this summer if United clinched a Premier League and Champions League double.

A Ferguson confidant revealed: "He has made up his mind to leave inside the next two seasons and has discussed the decision with his wife Cathy and the family."
The scene is set for Fergie to retire in the summer of 2009.

He is adamant he will not publicly set a date for his departure but on the subject of retirement he confirmed: "I have a plan, there's no question about that."

http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/m3/mar2008/5/7/D1BD81BC-A144-3A96-9909043896525AF3.jpg
http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/04/20/sir-alex-ferguson-sets-retirement-date-98487-20389058/


:( Just the thought of the inevitable makes me go OH NO!

[marty davidson]

HE sayed he would retire b 4 and did not. Dont believe wat the papers say

[yangch0000]

i am not sure how we would cope with post-ferguson era, i know we are a big club and we shld be able to cope whoever and whenever a person to leave, but ferguson has been there for 20 yrs and we have been ever dependent on him.
hope fergie has another "plan" for us.

[Keano!]

:eek::eek::eek::eek:

[spellbound]

HE sayed he would retire b 4 and did not. Dont believe wat the papers say
Yes he changed his mind before. But the man is born 1941 so he'll turn 67 at the end of this year. The day he's had enough will come rather we want it or not. So one of these days the newspapers will be right about his retiring. Maybe this time even....

[akash_reds]

really???? noooooooo
wish he could stya for 3 years minimum.....but he is getting old....
but it is his decision to retire fi he wants to

[Keano!]

Where was this found.

Rubbish this is! Same old rubbish paper talk. Pfft!

Nothing on BBC/SkySports/manutd.com/Setanta...etc

[Lucky7]

I searched too but Nothing..

[red_devils4life]

On April 20 2008, reports in the Daily Mirror suggested that the end of the 2008-09 season would be his last in charge of Manchester United.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Alex_Ferguson#2007-08

[Jodz]

That will put an end to an important chapter in the Manchester United history.

There's no question he's the best manager in the history of football. I'm a big fan of him personally but that's life. He'll have to leave sooner or later. I think that the next couple of seasons. He sucessfully built the current team and passing it over to the coming manager will of course assist him in his first few seasons. That decision will definatly benefit the club's future.

[NateR]

Silly paper talk. Remember it was only a few months ago, that the rumours were flying high, that he was going to set a retirement date. He dismissed all that. Better to just ignore anything that comes out of these newspapers.
They can't be trusted.

[Forever_United]

That will put an end to an important chapter in the Manchester United history.

There's no question he's the best manager in the history of football. I'm a big fan of him personally but that's life. He'll have to leave sooner or later. I think that the next couple of seasons. He sucessfully built the current team and passing it over to the coming manager will of course assist him in his first few seasons. That decision will definatly benefit the club's future.

best manager alongside the GOD of football that is Sir Matt Busby. but i think were gona have to be prepared for his leaving, it throughly frightens me to think of him going, so i preparing myself for average 3rd or 4th place finishes.

remember we've had him for 20+ years. once he leaves, who kno's how the team would play? i just hope quieroz stays 2nd man, at least he knows fergies tactics and approach to the game.

am gonna stop before i cry :( :p

[Jazz 16]

I wouldnt believe this in a hurry.....
The day will come and when that happens it will be a sad day for the club
and supporters, but hopefully that wont happen for a few years yet.

Anyway, dont believe the crap you read in the papers.

[Keano!]

On April 20 2008, reports in the "Daily Mirror suggested" that the end of the 2008-09 season would be his last in charge of Manchester United.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Alex_Ferguson#2007-08

Look at what I've highlighted.......

*waits*......

.....need I say more?

[red_devils4life]

What he said:


Sir Alex Ferguson is hoping that European glory will put the foundations in place for future success at Old Trafford. The Manchester United boss takes his side to Barcelona on Wednesday for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final.

Having taken the trophy just once, back in 1999, during a glittering career at Old Trafford, Ferguson is convinced that his exciting young squad can claim a memorable double this season.

If the Red Devils do emerge victorious at home and abroad, their manager has revealed that the pieces have now been put in place to ensure that the club continues to pick up silverware long after he has gone.

Improvement

"My ultimate fulfilment at United was in 1999," Ferguson said in The People.

"My issue is now more of a club thing than a personal goal.

"By that I mean trying to improve our record on all fronts and maintaining that success and creating that continuity.

"When I leave there has to be a continuity and we have built towards that with a squad that can stay together for a long time.

"Apart from Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs the ages of this squad are good.

Stability

"The balance of ages and positions is good, se we have longevity in this club, and that is an ongoing part of the success at United.

"I have an exit plan because there have been clubs in the past who have not recognised the need for change in their clubs and they suffer for it.

"We try and stay a step ahead and that's one reason we've put players like Michael Carrick and Rio Ferdinand on longer contracts.

"That gives us stability and these players gather the experience to be replacing the Giggsys and Scholesys in the future.

Enthusiasm

Ferguson is also adamant that his current squad possess the same never-say-die attitude which encapsulated the 1999 Treble winning group.

"Like 1999, this team still has that ability to win matches in the closing minutes," he said.

"That comes from the determination of the players and the expectation that forces them to go beyond the line so many times.

"That's not an accident, because we have the right players. The type of players who have good temperament, quality with a good enthusiasm to play."

[antdevil78]

Where was this found.

Rubbish this is! Same old rubbish paper talk. Pfft!

Nothing on BBC/SkySports/manutd.com/Setanta...etc

got to face up to fact he is gonna be retiring soon. He may be taking up the post of Great British coach at 2012 Olympics.

What worries me is when Brian Clough retired, Forest was a top club fighting for honours. Now look at them.

[Keano!]

got to face up to fact he is gonna be retiring soon. He may be taking up the post of Great British coach at 2012 Olympics.

What worries me is when Brian Clough retired, Forest was a top club fighting for honours. Now look at them.

I understand you mate, but what I'm getting at, is that he seems and said before that
he has at least 3 more seasons in him.

But, I'd say he knows when he'll call it a day and that day will be one of the
toughest of mine, for a long, long time.....

[fazman]

alex will be with us until the doctor says its time to give it in

[ManUtd08]

i hope sir alex dont retire he is the best manager in the world

[Stephen]

Known fact for ages that it was most likely he will retire after that date. We need to win the European Cup before he leaves.

I honestly think post-Fergie will never be successful as it was in the Fergie-era. Even though this squad is particulary younger, the post-Matt barron years some how could replicate themselves to some extent.

A very small part of me hopes United do become an unsuccessful team for a while. Get rid of the JCL glory-hunter idiots (use of a stronger word needed :rolleyes: ) that have polluted and wrecked out support for since 1993, and particulary 1999. I'm ashamed to admit that.

Anyway.....

EVERY SINGLE ONE US LOVES ALEX FERGUSON, OH EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US, LOVES ALEX FERGUSON.

[haggler]

giggs in a recent interview said saf would stay on until his 70th birthday

[Stephen]

giggs in a recent interview said saf would stay on until his 70th birthday
Hope he doesn't retire on his 70th birthday. It's slap bang in the middle of the season :D

[Forever_United]

Known fact for ages that it was most likely he will retire after that date. We need to win the European Cup before he leaves.

I honestly think post-Fergie will never be successful as it was in the Fergie-era. Even though this squad is particulary younger, the post-Matt barron years some how could replicate themselves to some extent.

A very small part of me hopes United do become an unsuccessful team for a while. Get rid of the JCL glory-hunter idiots (use of a stronger word needed :rolleyes: ) that have polluted and wrecked out support for since 1993, and particulary 1999. I'm ashamed to admit that.

Anyway.....

EVERY SINGLE ONE US LOVES ALEX FERGUSON, OH EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US, LOVES ALEX FERGUSON.

agreed completley. i cant stand them "United fans are gloryhunters" type. change could actually be good for the club. the prices wud drop. the daytrippers would stop. real fans could get in instead. the atmosphere would be MASSIVE !.

[red_devils4life]

Source: TeamTalk

http://red11.org/mufc/images/player/ferguson/fergie_years_tin.jpg

Manchester United have played down reports that their current manager Sir Alex Ferguson is finally set to call time on his illustrious career in 2009.

The date of Ferguson's retirement has frequently been the subject of intense speculation since his initial U-turn six years ago.

Ferguson himself is not interested in discussing the matter, maintaining the stance that as long as he is enjoying the job and remains fit and healthy, he will continue.

Only once has he expressed any irritation over the subject being an issue of public debate, when he accused those suggesting he might quit of trying to railroad him into retirement. Since that time, which came more than 12 months ago, the 66-year-old's inquisitors have tended to steer clear of the matter altogether.

And United have responded to the new rumours in their usual manner.

While they accept one day someone is bound to get the date of Ferguson's departure correct, they insist no concrete plans are in place for the Scot to end his remarkable stint at Old Trafford, which is now three years into its third decade.

"We get this every year," reflected a club official.

It would hardly seem the sort of topic Ferguson has any time to consider at the present time.

Following Saturday night's late equaliser at Blackburn, United head into Saturday's table-topping clash with Chelsea three points ahead of their nearest rivals, boasting a better goal difference and just three matches to go.

However, before that, the Red Devils face the mouth-watering prospect of a Champions League semi-final with Barcelona on Wednesday, United's first visit to the Nou Camp since their epic victory over Bayern Munich in 1999, which remains Ferguson's only triumph in the competition.

http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1778_3449835,00.html

[abojodeh]

lie totaly a lie fergie gona retire in 2011
:( fergie retire = end of united
i bet that he will stay 3 more years

[Nemanjaaa]

Nooooooo surely it's not true the day he leaves will be VERY scary!

[Stephen]

lie totaly a lie fergie gona retire in 2011
:( fergie retire = end of united
i bet that he will stay 3 more years
United will go on. What are you on about?

No man is bigger than the club itself.

[Wazza1989]

it would be too sad....but..unfortunately...it will happen one day..:(

[urm08]

He has served as united manager so successfully and for so long that it will be an extremely sad day when he finally does retire. All i can say is that when he does they should put up a statue of him at old trafford next to sir matt busby's...i dont think any1 can argue with that

[Forever_United]

get that cloning equipment out. we mite be able to clone another fergie in time for when he retires. gd idea ! :D

[dlan4327]

get that cloning equipment out. we mite be able to clone another fergie in time for when he retires. gd idea ! :D

Really? I was going to suggest somebody on this forum learns alchemy so we can keep him living on forever!;)

[dckyfoxes]

We have to face it... It's time I feel after another season or so, he should be enjoying his life now... Nobody would want to work till death... I believed that many will agree with me that he's one of the best managers around, he has done all United fans around the world proud. His already a Legend in United...

With SAF departure anywhere soon, I was wondering if SAF could still work behind the sence, imparting some of his tactics and talents to his successor... At the moment, Carlos really look most likely it to be the next manager... Even if he doesn't, I sure hope he stays on and assist the next...

[Stephen]

We have to face it... It's time I feel after another season or so, he should be enjoying his life now... Nobody would want to work till death... I believed that many will agree with me that he's one of the best managers around, he has done all United fans around the world proud. His already a Legend in United...

With SAF departure anywhere soon, I was wondering if SAF could still work behind the sence, imparting some of his tactics and talents to his successor... At the moment, Carlos really look most likely it to be the next manager... Even if he doesn't, I sure hope he stays on and assist the next...
It has been said, and almost guaranteed, that Sir Alex Ferguson will replicate Sir Matt Busby and go upstairs at United.

[kingstreet]

CQ is, and has been, defacto first team coach for a good while now. The team is being built with his preferred players and the style and tactics are from Queiroz.

When Ferguson does decide to call it a day, it seems there will be a smooth transition to CQ management and this stability should stand us in good stead, the opposite to an unfamiliar face coming in from outside.

FWIW, I think Ferg will jack it in if we do the double this season!

[akash_reds]

SAF is getting old.....we just cant keep him at united forever.......he has to retire someday..
one of the best manager the world has seen in a few years....
hopefully he can stya for a few years..but we have to face it..he has to retire sooner or later......

[Stephen]

SAF is getting old.....we just cant keep him at united forever.......he has to retire someday..
one of the best manager the world has seen in a few years....
hopefully he can stya for a few years..but we have to face it..he has to retire sooner or later......
Best manager the world has seen since football has began. Not for a few years.

[akash_reds]

sorry :o
exactly....one of the best managers of the world since football existed!!! ;) :D

[carlyluvsunited]

lie totaly a lie fergie gona retire in 2011
:( fergie retire = end of united
i bet that he will stay 3 more years2011 .... Ahhhh thank God for that...

Thanks Abo for the real news we were all getting worried ... :rolleyes:

fergie retire = end of united ... How do you work that out ?

[owenrooneyruud]

only time can tell but NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO......

[red devil_forever07]

i thnk he will retire after he won the champ leag.

[edmunds]

cant see it myself with the squad being so young i think he would want to stay on as long as he could with them and bring more sucess to the club.

[asaf cohen]

it's going to be hard to replace him, when he finally decides to retire.

[sparkic]

I hope he doesn't ever retire lol! I hope he passes away while being the manager of Man United...okay I might be a little unrealistic but I really don't want him to ever retire lol

[sharafanta7]

ferguson....retire....:(

[manutd004]

However painful it is to say, I think his retirement is coming up soon.

When this story was first released, I thought there was nothing in it. But after recent comments, such as Sir Alex talking about him planning for long after hes gone, looks as though I think that he will be going in a bit. But, saying that, if we win the league this year (which I think we will,) will he want to try to equal and beat Liverpool's record of 18 (which is VERY LIKELY,) or will he leave it to someone else?

I would put money on it that he will be manager of Manchester United next season. Thats guarenteed. But after that its anyones guess. My guess would be that hes manager until at least 2010, possibly 2011.

Although I think Carlos will get the job, the problem with trying to look at managers who can take over from him is, when will he leave? I mean, aside from Carlos, Mark Hughes looks as though hes the best option. But will he be the best option when Sir Alex leaves?

And then we've got the million pound question. Will we follow the route that the Pile, Chelski, Arse, and even City and Spurs have taken by appointing a foreigner (excluding Carlos in this, and hes already here) or will we give a British/Irish manager a chance?

[akash_reds]

really hope he doesnt retire.....btu i think everyone knows it is only a matter of time till he does....hope he can stay for atleast a couple of years.....
one of the best managers in the world