Alex Ferguson IS retiring, the only question is when?

27 May 08 by Bill

We can speculate exactly when it will happen, but Sir Alex Ferguson has set a deadline of three years to retire as manager of Manchester United. It is not the first time Fergie has announced his retirement, the 2001/2002 season was set to be his last but a combination of the teams poor form shortly after the announcement and his wife’s persuasion forced him to scrap the plans and he went on add more trophies to his collection. Now though, at the age of 66, the Scot claims he will be finished before he’s 70.

Speaking of his former u-turn and his family’s involvement, Sir Alex said “It was really Cathy’s (his wife) idea. If she hadn’t come up with it and the boys hadn’t given full support, I wouldn’t have considered a change of mind.” But this time things are a little different as he recently revealed “I think my wife deserves a bit of my time, too. The older you get, the more you feel guilty about it. My wife, Cathy, was the one who talked me out of retiring last time but she wouldn’t do that now.”

Of course, it’s not all about Cathy. Ferguson has a thirst for football and a drive to succeed. After winning the Champions League, he was first into the office the following morning. David Gill recalled bumping into him and asking why on earth he wasn’t at home. Fergie’s answer, what would I do? It is clear Ferguson is still as determined to succeed and it is well known he loves working with such talented young players as Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez, Nani and Anderson and you can see his enthusiasm as he watches them grow as players. Wayne Rooney recently said “on the training pitch he is laughing and smiling and joking. He is really happy. He enjoys coming in every day and just passing his knowledge down to the younger players. I can’t see him leaving now.”

Ferguson’s previous u-turn has left his recent retirement announcement with some doubters. John O’Shea recently praised Ferguson as the best manager around and went on to say “there are stories coming out that he has three more years in charge – I would say he could be there longer than that.”

There is one crucial factor that I think could keep Ferguson at United longer than the three years and it is dependent on success. All those years ago when Ferguson took the reigns, he had an ambition to “knock Liverpool off their perch”. I think it is safe to say that he has done that and in some style. Liverpool have never won the Premiership such has been United’s dominance. In fact, only three other clubs have; Chelsea, Arsenal and Blackburn. That as it may, Liverpool are still the most successful club in English football but United have caught up quickly and are not far behind. Liverpool have won 18 top flight championships to United’s 17. Liverpool have won the European cup 5 times to United 3. In three seasons is it plausible for Fergie to believe he can take the league wins above Liverpool and possibly match their European record or even beat it? If he does I like his ambition and don’t see how this drive and ambition can change in 3 years. The man lives Manchester United.

Two European cups in 3 seasons is ambitions, 3 is audacious and that’s not to mention the 2 league wins. Perhaps if he doesn’t achieve it, the retirement will go on hold again. Even if it does turn out to be longer than 3 years, at over 70, retirement will always be looming, but if he wants to stay till 80, you wont here any complaints from us.