[funkdoctorspock]

We all knew this announcement was coming sooner or later.

Sir Alex has indicated that he will be retiring in 3 years. The latest being the 3 and possibly earlier debating on his health.

So my question to you is. How long do you think he stays for?

Poll included.

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed he will quit Manchester United in the next three years.


The Old Trafford boss has been loath to set a date for his Old Trafford departure after reneging on his original plan to retire six years ago.

But in the wake of United's Champions League final victory, the 66-year-old said: 'I won't be managing here any more than three years at the very, very most. Without question. I can assure you of that.'

Ferguson is already the most successful manager in the history of the English game, having won 20 major trophies in his time at Old Trafford.

But he is already beginning to ponder life after football, saying: 'You have to think about time for yourself.

'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.'

But Ferguson, who has been United manager for more than 21 years, insists he has no immediate plans to step down.

'I know I would find it hard to give up managing United,' he said.

'I can't do it, not at the moment anyway.'

Meanwhile, Manchester United chief executive David Gill believes Carlos Queiroz is 'very much in the frame' to succeed Ferguson at Old Trafford.

Ferguson revealed he will finally quit as United boss within the next three years. And although Gill insists he has not been told that by Ferguson himself, he conceded United could follow in Liverpool's example with an internal appointment when the Scot does step down.

'We haven't discussed that,' Gill told the BBC.

'I think his guiding principle over whether he stays is whether he is healthy and still has the desire, which I'm sure he will have.

'It's still three and a half years away, we will look at it at that time.'

Asked about planning for Ferguson's successor, Gill added: 'We are making sure our squad is continually reviewed and improved as necessary and the age of the squad is right so that, when Alex does decide to retire, anyone taking over has a fantastic squad with the right age profile.

'We also have an assistant manager who will be very much in the frame in Carlos Queiroz.

'He's clearly a key part of our success. If you look at what Liverpool achieved in their very successful years during the `70s and `80s (that) was through internal appointments.

'Carlos is a key factor in all the success we've achieved over the last couple of seasons.'

Ferguson has already gone back on one promise to retire but insisted he will not be managing at Old Trafford by the time he reaches 70 in December 2011.

'I won't be managing here any more than three years at the very, very most. Without question. I can assure you of that,' the 66-year-old said.

'You have to think about time for yourself. 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.'

Source

[mark08]

i hope he stays forever, but of course that isnt going to happen!

he still has teh hunger to win more and thats important, but he'll definately know when to call it quits now and i'll be absolutely gutted when he finally leaves!

[Dirtycheat]

i read the full interview, here and i think its very likely that he will go 2012.

He has worked so hard at united and his job is under rated in terms of difficulty. He always has to make difficult decisions and well the media can be bastards but i dont think that bothers him.

We couldnt ask for more from him. He came in, battled to keep his job and deserves to be in the situation where he is now where he can decide when to go.

I think if united win the treble in the next 2 years he will go after that, there isnt a better time for it.

His passion for footie hasnt died down, neither has instinct. He can carry on to his seventies and still enjoy it but i think he will retire before then. Its not an easy job and its hard to walk away from something your so unquestionably great at but i think he will go before he is 70 and do it for his wife.

Id love for him to stay longer but if i put myself in his shoes, i think id prefer living in a new country every year like he said in his interview.

[GocartMozart]

my real concern is not when, but what happens when he does. I'd like him to just push off to the side, instead of hanging around like a ball and chain around the neck of his successor. I can see him come back to the club as a director, but he needs to give it a bit of time.

The worst thing would be having the fans holding the shadow over the next manager.

[RobsonLegend]

May 2011 would be perfect. It'll be 25 years at one club. Well, maybe in November of 2011, then. Either way, that's a remarkable tenure based on length alone, let alone by achievements.

And to think it could all have ended so ingloriously back in 1990. Do people realize just how much we owe that 1990 FA Cup squad?

[prateik]

atleast 2 more years .. hope he stays forever ..
fergie had said that CQ is talking care of the tactics for some games .. he is giving all the post match interviews (different reasons , but still)
think he is being groomed for it .. wont be surprised at all if he took over ..

will he get his statue outside OT .. i hope he does

[Mila]

I would like him to stay as long as he can - as long as his health allows him to.

He is not young anymore, but he is taking the pressure and the hard work at the club so well, and when he lifts yet another trophy - it's like isn't really 66 years old.

Let's hope he doesn't lose the desire for football for a long time to come.

Plus, what is he going to do? Just imagine Fergie gardening...

[Torque]

I think he will stay another 2-3 years to try and surpass Liverpool's number of chmapionship wins.

Yep, you're right Mila, when he lifted the trophy last week he was looking 10 years younger.

[newb3e1]

i hope he win 2 more CL before retiring

[gerda1-1]

I can't believe it!! I alvays think he will be our coach forever.... However, I'm sure he will found his successor and will teach him how to be real MU coach, with confedence, and independence from other opinions.