Ferguson Rubbishes Retirement Talks

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson Sir Alex Ferguson has stated there is no likelihood of an imminent managerial vacancy at Manchester United. With Pep Guardiola due to end his post-Barcelona sabbatical next summer, Jose Mourinho tipped to leave Real Madrid and David Moyes’ Everton contract ready to expire, three of the major candidates to replace Ferguson could be available at the end of the season. It has led to suggestions Ferguson, who celebrated his 71st birthday on Monday, will call time on a Manchester United career which now extends beyond 26 years. However, in an interview with the Abu Dhabi Sports channel, Ferguson makes it clear he is going nowhere. “I’m hoping to stay on for a bit of time,” he said. And, though Guardiola, Mourinho and Moyes are bound to be at the top of the list if they are available, Ferguson highlights the precarious nature of football management and states further consideration is impossible. “It’s very difficult,” he said. “Over the years, names have been bandied about but football is such a precarious industry. “But you could be talking about one of the potentially exciting young managers in the game, but is he going to be here in twoor three years’ time?”