Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has been elusive over his retirement plans but with a possible double looming, should he start thinking about leaving on a high note if he manages to win this season’s Premier League and Champions League?
Ferguson, 66, has been at the club since 1986 and has brought nine league titles, five FA Cups and one European Cup to Old Trafford - will he ever feel he has won enough silverware?
He is a great example of why keeping the same manager for a long time can be effective - perhaps Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra should think about this before he gives Sven-Goran Eriksson the boot after just one season in charge. After all, Ferguson took nearly four years to win his first trophy.
He was due to retire in 2002 but the lure of more success changed his mind.
When is the right time for Ferguson to call it a day?
Sonia Oxley, London
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8 comments so far
I’m always a great believer in quitting while you are ahead. In Fergie’s case though, he’s been ahead for a while - bar a few seasons along the way!
It must be on his mind though. I’m pretty sure that Ferguson could retire at any time and still be remembered as one of the greatest managers the Premiership has seen - whether it’s a ‘high’ point or not.
Agree with your comments regarding Eriksson too. Unfortunately it’s becoming more and more acceptable to give managers little time to prove themselves. Surely a football club should be aiming for stability?! Stability breeds success. Imagine if Fergie had been sacked after a year? Wonder where United would be now!
Kevin
- Posted by CLDsportI don’t think this is the right time. He’s eager to build the squad and making some important bids this summer. With the team he built this season, he surely does not quit even if he wins the double.
- Posted by harithskiI completely agree with Kevin and am getting extremely frustrated by the lack of respect for managers currently.
Always remember the saying, Rome wasn’t built in a day.
- Posted by Five TimesFergie will die before leaving Man United and they will bury him beneath the center circle at Old Trafford.
In all seriousness, the current crop of stars he has at his disposal have kept him forever young and I see him sticking around until the group starts to disintegrate. No way he leaves after this season.
- Posted by Marcus O'MardGlad you agree Five Times! It might almost be understandable if City had had a really bad season - but in truth, they haven’t. They should be looking to build on this years success - not step back and start the process all over again.
Kevin
- Posted by CLDsportThis is a no-brainer if Sir Alex wins the double: He gets a perfect ending to an historic / legendary managerial career and United gets the most promising young manager around: Roy Keane. For me there is even some argument for lining up Keane for next season regardless of the result in Moscow: he could become their next legendary manager for the next few decades…
- Posted by Beautifulgamer“When is the right time for Ferguson to call it a day?”
When he chooses to. And I don’t think Roy Keane can fill his boots just yet.
- Posted by Red DevilWell Well, Sir Alex has nothing more to prove, i think he should retire now and also handle a little bit of credit to his assistant, we cannot forget who organize ronaldo, nani and anderson to join United, some people just look at the front side of the book, but what keeps Sir Alex a winner and Manchester United the best team in the World is because they have a very good assistant who never fails on his choises on young players, he is not a Sir but a Professor and won 2 World Cup for the under 21 with Portugal with Luis Figo and Rui Costa, and they were the World Best Player some time ago, same as with Ronaldo and Nani for the future…
- Posted by Amuji YI think now is the right time to give a chance to Professor Carlos Queiroz, Manchester United number 2