Ferguson planning to retire from football 'in three years'
Friday, 07 Mar 2008 17:36
Sir Alex Ferguson (right) has backed Carlos Queiroz as a possible successor at Manchester United
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he plans to retire from football in three years time, after he turns 69.
The timeframe would coincide with the end of the 2010/11 Premier League season and would mark his 25th year in charge of the Old Trafford giants.
Ferguson, who initially announced his intention to quit the game in 2005 before reconsidering, said he is still enjoying his job but feels it may soon be time to hand over the reigns to a younger manager.
"I'm getting beyond the future now," Ferguson said.
"I still have a lot of passion. I'm still happy. But I'm 66 now - maybe three years more, then I'll finish."
Ferguson's decision to continue in the job three years ago was apparently justified by United winning the Premier League title for the first time in four seasons at the end of the 2006/07 campaign.
At the time, the Scot was quick to highlight the importance of assistant manager Carlos Queiroz in helping to build that successful team.
Ferguson has backed the Portuguese as a possible full-time successor at the club, despite his underwhelming ten months in charge of Real Madrid in 2003/04.
However, pundits have also suggested that several of United's former players who are now top-level managers in their own right, including
Sunderland's Roy Keane,
Blackburn Rovers' Mark Hughes and
Wigan Athletic's Steve Bruce, could come into the frame.
"The thing about football is we have some potential young managers but, because of the dangers, the hazards of management, they may not be there in three years' time," he said.
"The change in football is so much so quickly. If you're not successful in three games you could be away. All these young managers we've seen over the years are not there now."
And Ferguson added: "I have a great assistant in Carlos Queiroz. He will come into the reckoning.
"But we have owners and a chief executive who will choose the new man in three years' time."