Sir Alex Ferguson has retired
as manager of Manchester
United, the club have
announced this morning.
There was frenzied speculation
overnight that the Scot was set
to quit Old Trafford at the end
of the season, and the club
have now confirmed the news.
He will step down at the end of
the season.
He said: "The decision to retire
is one that I have thought a
great deal about and one that I have not taken lightly," said
Ferguson.
"It is the right time."
Ferguson's last game in charge
will be at West Brom on May 19
and he will join the club's
football board.
Read his full statement here:
"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."

Source:www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/alex-ferguson-retires-manchester-united-1875254