Sir Alex Ferguson - the most decorated manager in British football - blows
the whistle on his 26-year reign at Old Trafford.
Sir Alex Ferguson is retiring as manager of Manchester United, the club has confirmed.
The manager, who has been at the club for 26 years, said in a statement:
"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.
"It was important to me to leave an organisation in the strongest possible
shape and I believe I have done so."
The club has not not immediately announced a successor.
The Scotsman secured his 13th Premier League title with Manchester United
two weeks ago and is the most successful manager in British football history.
Ferguson, 71, will stay at the club as a director and an ambassador, but now
has just two games left with the famous club.
"With these activities, along with my many other interests, I am looking
forward to the future," Ferguson said.
"I must pay tribute to my family, their love and support has been essential."
Former FA chief executive Mark Palios told Sky News that Ferguson's
achievements were unrivalled and said they "would never be repeated again".
David Davis, former FA executive director, said he would put him above iconic
managers like Bobby Robson, Bill Shankley and Matt Busby as the "best British
manager of any generation".
The "foundations of the Premiership have shaken this morning", said Sky
News Sports Correspondent Paul Kelso.
"Fergie steps aside as the greatest figure in football management - there’ll be a
very long queue of managers seeking to replace him.
"I’m sure they have a succession plan in place – in fact they have talked
about it in the past.," Kelso added.
"They will be looking for a man of great experience at the highest European
level ... (Jose) Mourinho is about as guaranteed as you can get."
Early speculation about a successor at Old Trafford also includes the likes
of Everton boss David Moyes.
"You have to be a certain manager to manage Manchester United," former
United player Paul Ince told Sky News.
"It's very important the next man is the right man."
Sir Alex, who began his managerial career in Scotland in 1974, enjoyed
success with St Mirren and Aberdeen before moving to England.
He won 49 trophies during his career - his haul with Manchester
United including five FA Cups, four league cups and two famous
Champions League titles, in 1999 and 2008
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