Sir Alex Ferguson will step down as
Manchester United manager at the
end of the season after 26 years in
charge.
The Scot, 71, has won 38 trophies for
the club and will now become a
director and ambassador.
His haul includes 13 league titles, two
Champions League crowns, five FA
Cups and four League Cups.
"The decision to retire is one that I
have thought a great deal about. It is
the right time," Ferguson said.
Jose Mourinho has been installed as
favourite to take over from Ferguson
by bookmakers, with Everton's David
Moyes and Borussia Dortmund's
Jurgen Klopp also in the running.
Ferguson is confident his successor
will take over a club in good health
after winning their 20th title 17 days
ago.
"It was important to me to leave an
organisation in the strongest possible
shape and I believe I have done so,"
he said.
"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."
Ferguson praised the people he felt
helped him build the club from a
team that had not won a title for 26
years into one of the biggest in the
world.
"I must pay tribute to my family, their
love and support has been essential,"
he added.
"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."
Ferguson is the most successful
manager in the history of the British
game and famously won a treble in
1999.
Co-chairman Joel Glazer highlighted
Ferguson's desire to continue to
produce winning teams throughout
his time at United.
He 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 [when
United won the Champions League]."
Fellow co-chairman Avie Glazer
expressed how important the United
board felt it was to ensure Ferguson
continued working for the club
despite his decision to step down as
manager.
"I am delighted to announce that Alex
has agreed to stay with the club as a
director," he said. "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 revealed Ferguson had been
planning to make his succession
easier by putting in place a young
squad and a state of the art training
facility at Carrington.
He 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."
Current Blackpool manager Paul Ince
won two league titles, two FA Cups, a
European Cup Winners' Cup medal
and a League Cup during his time
playing for Ferguson at United.
He told Sky Sports News: "I'm totally
shocked. What he's done is
unbelievable. You'll never see anyone
of his kind again.
"Two weeks ago he was talking about
staying on for another two years, so
it's a massive, massive shock.
"The way he treated me was like a
son."

Thanks for the Memories! For all that
you've achieved with United..! The
greatest of them all..!
You will leave a quite empty space on
the side of the field, with your
"gumchewing" and yelling @ te refs
And not to speak of how much we will
miss "Fergie Time"..!!!
You've done so much for this club, and
set the bar and expectations quite high
for the next coach to live up to...!!
There will be only one. There IS only
one. Forever in our glorious red hearts!
Sir Alex Ferguson, Forever.