Sir Alex Ferguson will retire as Manchester United manager at the end of the season in the 27th year of a tenure that has made him the most successful in British football.
While
he will become a United director and ambassador, the executive are now
charged with having to appoint the successor to a man who has won 13
league titles, two Champions Leagues, the Cup Winners' Cup, five FA Cups
and four League Cups. In February, Ed Woodward, the incoming chief
executive, said there was plan in place for when the Scot did step down.
Regarding
his decision, Ferguson said: "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 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.
"Our training facilities are amongst the finest in
global sport and our home Old Trafford is rightfully regarded as one of
the leading venues in the world. Going forward, I am delighted to take
on the roles of both director and ambassador for the club. With these
activities, along with my many other interests, I am looking forward to
the future. 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."
The
sudden nature of Ferguson's departure is in keeping with how the Scot
stated he would leave the post after he trailed a first retirement
during the 2001/2 season before performing a U-turn.
It is understood he gathered the players in the first team changing
room shortly after they arrived for training at Carrington on Wednesday
morning. In an emotional speech he announced he was to step down. He
then took his backroom staff aside before finally addressing the rest of
the staff in the canteen.
Any successor to the Scot would be
required by the club to have extended experience of managing in the
Champions League, as well as expertise in handling a large budget and
squad. These criteria would appear to rule out David Moyes, the Everton
manager, with at least one senior executive unsure about his candidacy,
despite Ferguson being an admirer – though earlier in the week
bookmakers slashed the odds on him joining United, possibly as member of
the backroom staff, this summer.
Other managers who may be of
interest to United would include Real Madrid's José Mourinho, though he
appears favourite to take over at Chelsea, Jurgen Klopp, whose Borussia
Dortmund team are in the Champions League final, and Malaga's Manuel
Pellegrini.
Ferguson will be a strong voice in any replacement for
him and whether he would endorse Mourhino is unclear. When Charlton, a
United director and one of those instrumental in bringing Ferguson to
the club from Aberdeen in 1986, was asked last year if the Scot admired
the Portuguese, he said: "He doesn't like him too much, though."
It
is thought that Mourinho's histrionics and the temporary nature of his
career in which he has consistently moved around clubs is not considered
desirable by United. However, he has claimed league titles in Portugal,
England, Italy and Spain and has twice won the Champions League – the
same count as Ferguson.
While United will be keen to replace
Ferguson as soon as possible, the club will not be rushed with the ideal
scenario being that the next manager should be appointed before the
three week summer tour to Australia, Japan and the Far East in early
July.
Joel Glazer, joint chairman of the Manchester United board,
said: "Alex has proven time and time again what a fantastic manager he
is but he's also a wonderful person. His determination to succeed and
dedication to the club have been truly remarkable. I will always cherish
the wonderful memories he has given us, like that magical night in
Moscow.
Avie Glazer, his brother, said: "I am delighted to
announce that Alex has agreed to stay with the club as a director. His
contributions to Manchester United over the last 26 years have been
extraordinary and, like all United fans, I want him to be a part of its
future."
David Gill the outgoing chief exectutive, said: "I've had
the tremendous pleasure of working very closely with Alex for 16
unforgettable years – through the treble, the double, countless trophy
wins and numerous signings.
"We knew that his retirement would
come one day and we both have been planning for it by ensuring the
quality of the squad and club structures are in first class condition.
"Alex's
vision, energy and ability have built teams – both on and off the pitch
– that his successor can count on as among the best and most loyal in
world sport.
"The way he cares for this club, his staff and for
the football family in general is something that I admire. It is a side
to him that is often hidden from public view but it is something that I
have been privileged to witness in the last 16 years.
"What he has
done for this club and for the game in general will never be forgotten.
It has been the greatest experience of my working life being alongside
Alex and a great honour to be able to call him a friend."
First-team
coach Rene Meulensteen revealed how Ferguson broke the news to his
backroom staff on Wednesday morning. "(I found out) this morning when I
came to the club," he said on Sky Sports News. "He called us into his
office and he said what decision he took. It's always been on the cards -
there's speculation every season. I think the manager kept his cards
close to his chest. I think he felt the time was right now and he made a
decision.
"He's obviously a man who thinks very, very well so I'm
sure he's taken a lot of thought into making this decision. I wish him
well. He's been fantastic for this club and I hope all the fans give
whoever's going to come in the same support that he gets."
No comments:
Post a Comment