[dpak3000]

UNITED PLAY DOWN FERGIE RETIREMENT TALK

Manchester United have played down reports that Sir Alex Ferguson is finally set to call time on his illustrious career in 2009.

The date of Ferguson's retirement has frequently been the subject of intense speculation since his initial U-turn six years ago.

Ferguson himself is not interested in discussing the matter, maintaining the stance that as long as he is enjoying the job and remains fit and healthy, he will continue.

Only once has he expressed any irritation over the subject being an issue of public debate, when he accused those suggesting he might quit of trying to railroad him into retirement. Since that time, which came more than 12 months ago, the 66-year-old's inquisitors have tended to steer clear of the matter altogether.

And United have responded to the new rumours in their usual manner.

While they accept one day someone is bound to get the date of Ferguson's departure correct, they insist no concrete plans are in place for the Scot to end his remarkable stint at Old Trafford, which is now three years into its third decade.

'We get this every year,' reflected a club official.

It would hardly seem the sort of topic Ferguson has any time to consider at the present time.

Following last night's late equaliser at Blackburn, United head into Saturday's table-topping clash with Chelsea three points ahead of their nearest rivals, boasting a better goal difference and just three matches to go.

However, before that, the Red Devils face the mouth-watering prospect of a Champions League semi-final with Barcelona on Wednesday, United's first visit to the Nou Camp since their epic victory over Bayern Munich in 1999, which remains Ferguson's only triumph in the competition.


ESPNsoccernet - England - United play down Fergie retirement talk

glad to see Fergie marching on strong as ever. unfortunately, one day, Fergie is going to retire. Hopefully it is as he says and it wont be any time soon.

[simpsom]

yes,hopefully not soon.he was the coaches of man utd that will stay in everyone heart for a long time and i think hardly anyone will be able to replace him or do better then him.he was truely be man utd legend once he retired

[Dirtycheat]

well, looking at the number of former-united players that went into management after playing for fergie, i hope that at least one of them picked his brains and can succeed him.

If we do win the double this year some cynics could say that its the perfect time for fergie to end his successful managerial career, however im not sure fergie is like that. I know he is on a one year- rollover contract and i respect him for that because he could easily sign a 5- year one and retire at any any time and still get all the money.

All the stress cant do his health many favours and i would understand if he decides to call it quits and take a back seat at united instead. He probably deserves a good retirement after all those years of hard work. Hopefully he can carry on for one or two seasons though

[JamesRoyale]

i wouldnt be suprised if hughes wants the job.

my blackburn supporting friend has told me about some speculation, and ive seen a few stories of him talking about man utd.

one of them was him praising ferdinand's captancy skills.

and another saying ronaldo should stay in england, maybe becuase he wants to manage him?

[GocartMozart]

Originally Posted by Dirtycheat

well, looking at the number of former-united players that went into management after playing for fergie, i hope that at least one of them picked his brains and can succeed him.

If we do win the double this year some cynics could say that its the perfect time for fergie to end his successful managerial career, however im not sure fergie is like that. I know he is on a one year- rollover contract and i respect him for that because he could easily sign a 5- year one and retire at any any time and still get all the money.

All the stress cant do his health many favours and i would understand if he decides to call it quits and take a back seat at united instead. He probably deserves a good retirement after all those years of hard work. Hopefully he can carry on for one or two seasons though

Nah mate, i have to disagree on the time horizon you're recommending. I think the man lives for this. You take football from him and he's left with nothing. When you look at other legends in sports you'll see tons of managers that have gone into their 70s and 80s. Joe Paterno at Penn State is 81 and has bene doing it for the better part of 4 decades! Seriously. SAF will be fine.

Otto Pfister is over 70, and i don't see why Bobby Robson isn't capable of managing and he's 75 and was managing past his 71st birthday.

Joe gibbs is 67, Tom Coughlin is 61, Romeo Crennel is 60, Wade Phillips is 60. None of them are retiring any time soon.

If you can have politicians into their 70s and 80s, why not managers.

[Dirtycheat]

Originally Posted by GocartMozart

Nah mate, i have to disagree on the time horizon you're recommending. I think the man lives for this. You take football from him and he's left with nothing. When you look at other legends in sports you'll see tons of managers that have gone into their 70s and 80s. Joe Paterno at Penn State is 81 and has bene doing it for the better part of 4 decades! Seriously. SAF will be fine.

Otto Pfister is over 70, and i don't see why Bobby Robson isn't capable of managing and he's 75 and was managing past his 71st birthday.

Joe gibbs is 67, Tom Coughlin is 61, Romeo Crennel is 60, Wade Phillips is 60. None of them are retiring any time soon.

If you can have politicians into their 70s and 80s, why not managers.

im not saying he should retire early. All Im saying is if his health permits him then carry on but i would understand if he decides to call it quits in the next few seasons.

I know he nearly retired before and robson told him what else would you do with your life?

If you look at him he still celebrates each goal like he is still a little boy. He clearly is enjoying it and it is his life. However his health comes first and he said it in an interview not too long ago. He also said should he retire, he will take a back seat role at united.

Every year we get this though, along with axe giggs and when will scholes and neville retire.