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LONDON (AFP) –
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson celebrates after an English Premier League match against Stoke City on April 14, 2013. Ferguson could be about to sensationally retire as manager of English Premier League giants Manchester United, according to British media reports
Alex Ferguson could be about to sensationally retire as manager of English Premier League giants Manchester United, according to British media reports.
The Daily Telegraph claimed the 71-year-old Scot was “giving serious consideration” to leaving Old Trafford and could announce his retirement before the end of the week.
The newspaper did not cite sources but said that “senior figures” at the club could not be contacted to either confirm or deny the information.
Sources at the club have said Ferguson could miss the start of next season as he is to undergo a hip operation.
Ferguson is booked in for surgery immediately after the club return from a three-week pre-season tour at the end of July.
Ferguson will take his summer break before travelling with his players to Thailand, Australia, Japan and Hong Kong before the operation.
Ferguson has always said his health would dictate how long he would carry on as United manager.
He was taken ill at a function in Sotland almost 12 months ago, although his nosebleeds were put down to the amount of short flights he had undertaken.
Ferguson subsequently missed pre-season matches in Norway and Germany and also sat out a mid-winter break in Qatar.
Other than that though he has remained in good health and has been further boosted by his side again winning the Premier League title in convincing style.
British bookmakers reported a rush of bets on Everton manager David Moyes to become Ferguson’s successor. Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has also been linked with the position in the past.
Ferguson has been at United since November 1986 and is the most successful manager in the history of English football.
In his 26-and-a-half-year reign, he has led the club from the English northwest to 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, four League Cups, and two Champions League titles, as well as a host of other honours.
United claimed an unprecedented 20th English league title last month, having narrowly lost out to local rivals Manchester City the previous season.
During Ferguson’s tenure, United have become one of the most famous teams in world sport, with American business magazine Forbes recently reporting that they are worth $3.17 billion (2.42 billion euros).
