Courtesy of Capital FM Sports News.
LONDON, England, May 8- Here is the full statement by Sir Alex Ferguson announcing he will retire from the managerial role at Manchester United after playing Swansea and West Brom to wrap up his 27th season at Old Trafford.
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.
LONDON, England, May 8- Here is the full statement by Sir Alex Ferguson announcing he will retire from the managerial role at Manchester United after playing Swansea and West Brom to wrap up his 27th season at Old Trafford.
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.
Ferguson has accepted director and ambassadorial role at the club according to Avie Glazer.