Sir Alex Ferguson has retired

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From Celticfc.net

Celtic pay tribute to departing Manchester United icon

By: Joe Sullivan on 08 May, 2013 11:34

THE big news of the day is the announcement that Sir Alex Ferguson is stepping down as manager of Manchester United after 26 years of success at Old Trafford.

The 71-year-old retires at the end of this season after lifting the Premier League title – his 38th trophy in a haul that includes 13 league titles, two Champions League crowns, five FA Cups and four League Cups.

Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell said: “The contribution Sir Alex Ferguson has made to football is so huge that his decision to retire will clearly leave a real gap in the game.

“He is someone who has defined Manchester United for decades and a man who has made winning his trademark.

“Clearly, we all wish him the very best during his retirement, but I am sure his work ethic and his love for Manchester United FC will mean he will continue to make a great contribution to a club which he has been part of for so long.”

Neil Lennon said: “It is a real shock that Sir Alex has left the game he loves and undoubtedly football will really miss him, however, I would like to wish him all the very best on his very well-deserved retirement.

“It is a privilege to know Sir Alex and I would like to thank him for all the assistance he has given me as a manager. There is no better source of help and advice than Sir Alex Ferguson.

“He has decades of experience as a manager but most importantly he knows how to win. He has given Manchester United fans a glorious period of success, bringing trophy after trophy to Old Trafford and making his club one of the biggest footballing institutions in the world.”

He added: “The resilience and commitment he has shown during this period as manager cannot be underestimated. While there were difficult times, his strength of character, passion and single mindedness meant he achieved such great things.

“It is this drive and commitment which has resulted in the legacy he now leaves for others to follow.”

“I would like to offer Sir Alex my sincere best wishes for the future and wish him well in everything he does.”
 
Oddly I don't feel particularly upset about this yet. I just don't think it has sunk in. It probably won't, really, until the first game of next season, when the players run out and there's someone else sitting in his seat.

I wasn't even born when he came to this club. I have no means to imagine what it is like to support a club that isn't managed by Sir Alex Ferguson.
 
Still can't really get over this. It's one of those things you knew had to happen one day, but just went on and on so you weren't ready for when it did. It hasn't sunk in though and I don't think it will until we see him properly leaving, and when we see a new manager standing on the touchline.
 
Brightonian said:
I wasn't even born when he came to this club. I have no means to imagine what it is like to support a club that isn't managed by Sir Alex Ferguson.
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Its the same. Although unless you also remember Sir Matt, the same without winning anything, the inbetween years were , barring the odd FA Cup a bit barren, but supporting United with attacking football often at the expense of defending and the odd dodgy midfielder is pretty much the same whomever has been in the dugout.

theres always someone who thinks we are shit, theres always someone who thinks its the end (especially when we got relegated) and theres always a few who hark back to the previous era. Nothing will change in that.

We were the biggest news in english football even in the 2nd division, as great as Fergie is, and we , in my view, will never see a manager ever come close to him either here or any other club, Manchester United is bigger than any single man.
 
I've been a fan since childhood, Tommy Doc was my first manager.
There were grim times, rare heights and sinking lows.
Then the boss ended the years of failure in the league, which was all I'd known.
I've savoured those times, and wondered how some youngsters, that had known nothing else, would deal with lean times.

I still loved United during the dark days, and still will, if that happens to be our future.
Unexpected victories are just as sweet, if not sweeter.

This is the end of an era. It may not be the start of a decline, it may even see us get better, but there should be no fear of less successful times.
The ride is still a thrilling one.
 
verminater said:
I've been a fan since childhood, Tommy Doc was my first manager.
There have been grim times, rare heights and sinking lows.
Then the boss ended the years of failure in the league, which was all I'd known.
I've savoured those times, and wondered how some youngsters, that had known nothing else, would deal with lean times.

I still loved United during the dark days, and still will, if that happens to be our future.
Unexpected victories are just as sweet, if not sweeter.

This is the end of an era. It may not be the start of a decline, it may even see us get better, but their should be no fear of less successful times.
The ride is still a thrilling one.
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Well said, it is what the game is all about.

Fergie has left his mark on the club and football so generations from now they will still mention his name when talking about our storied club.
 
It had to happen some day. Not particularly worried about Moyes, always thought he looked a sensible option. Not getting Mourinho could be a blessing in disguise, but I dread starting the league next year with Chelsea under Mourinho, City under Pellegrini and us with Moyes.
 
In the context of his retirement you can understand just how upset he was at the loss to Real Madrid. Without a doubt that was his focus this season as we've basically been on auto pilot in the league since then.
 
Thank you Sir Alex for everything you've done for the club and its fans, god bless you and may luck and happiness be on your side. You will forever be remembered as the greatest manager ever.
 
No way Moyes takes over....surely United will go after Mourinho or possibly an offer to Klopp...my money is on Maureen.
 
This is such a shock because, denial or not, I've convinced myself SAF has made it his mission to win another UCL. His reaction to the Madrid defeat at the time confirmed it for me, but looking back now, he might have been that broken/furious because he already knew that his last chance has come and gone. :sad:

Thank you (and Cathy!) for dedicating your life to the sport, especially the past 26 years to Manchester United, SAF.
 
I really hope its not moyes.

If anyone can fill his shoes immediately its got to be Mourinho. Even if its for 3-4 years.
 
There are no words to describe how devastated I am right now, Sir Alex is the best of the best and I wish he could manage United forever, but all good things have to come to an end.

Goodbye to a true legend, the best manager of all time, who's taken this club to the top for nearly 30 years. He will be sorely missed.
 
Funny how shocked I am, considering I've been sort of preparing for this throughout the season. Can't thank him enough. Shedding a tear at work isn't embarrassing when it comes to his.

- And a really bad day for the internet here to break down.
 
Gutted about this but we knew he couldn't go on forever ( need to sort this cloning thing out )

I asaked the club if they could provide a letter of congratulations for a mate who is getting married and i'm best man for and lo and behold three days later I received a letter from the great man to give him and his new wife on their wedding day as a added bonus.

Thinking the time is coincidental with Mourinho likely to leave madrid and hopefully bring Ronaldo with him.

Not too keen on Moyes because of all the past stuff with Rooney it may be bad news for him and the club if Moyes decided to let him go :nono:
 
Brightonian said:
Oddly I don't feel particularly upset about this yet. I just don't think it has sunk in. It probably won't, really, until the first game of next season, when the players run out and there's someone else sitting in his seat.

I wasn't even born when he came to this club. I have no means to imagine what it is like to support a club that isn't managed by Sir Alex Ferguson.
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Same feeling for me.

Its a bit sad, but hasnt really sunk in.

Sir Alex Ferguson IS Manchester United for everyone born after around 1985
 
Thank you Sir Alex Ferguson for everything!!!
One of the greatest men living today...
 
miler7 said:
Gutted about this but we knew he couldn't go on forever ( need to sort this cloning thing out )

I asaked the club if they could provide a letter of congratulations for a mate who is getting married and i'm best man for and lo and behold three days later I received a letter from the great man to give him and his new wife on their wedding day as a added bonus.

Thinking the time is coincidental with Mourinho likely to leave madrid and hopefully bring Ronaldo with him.

Not too keen on Moyes because of all the past stuff with Rooney it may be bad news for him and the club if Moyes decided to let him go :nono:
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When I was about 12 I wrote to OT and received a letter from SAF signed by all the squad at the time. That is 25 years ago by the way :(. I've it framed at home!
 
The amount of congratulations for his career coming from all corners of the internet has been quite heart warming. It seemed quite consistent, so I made the mistake of having glance at Bluemoon, thinking something has monumental as this might have humbled them a bit.

Haha. No chance.
 
I have been travelling for the past day and a half, and just saw this ... stomach churning, feeling rather down :(
I know he was scheduled for surgery, but I didn't think he'd step down ! I don't know if anyone can match him...
 
JP77 said:
Apparently we can't compete with the likes of Real Madrid according to some cnut called Duncan on SSN right now :lol:
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yeah, it's not like we were the better team and the only reason Real went ahead is the retarded refferee decision, and it's not like Mourinho himself pointed out right after the game that the best team lost.
And it's not like we're paying away our debt and will sooner rather than later be able to compete financialy with them as well as on the pitch.
 
I want to congratulate Sir Alex Ferguson for a superb career that encompassed the stabilization of a magnificent club at the highest level and (re)achievement of a behemothic status that is unlikely to ever be lost again, even in his absence.

Not being a United fan, I admire Sir Alex Ferguson immensely because of his record-breaking long tenure at the helm of a club of this level - irrespective of club, stability and "love for the shirt" are two of the things I appreciate most in football and are unfortunately increasingly scarce these days.

I can relate to the pain most of you are feeling at this moment (well, putting aside the ones more excited with discussing his successor) as I know me and the fans of my club will feel a similar pain relatively soon, when our 31-years leader (and responsible for our success) inevitably leaves the helm.
 
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