Guardian.co.uk
This is not really news at this point. If you're a football fan and you haven't known that Sir Alex is retiring for some hours, you've probably been comfortably living under a rock. Rumors started to circulate overnight in the UK, and Manchester United confirmed it on the club's website this morning. For the first time since 1986, the Red Devils will be looking for a new manager.
The internet, blogs, and social media have experienced an outpouring of gratitude for Ferguson from United fans and non United fans. I am of the latter group, but honestly, there's not much more to be said that hasn't been said in the 47575858437854836758474 articles and blog entries that have hit in the last few hours.
Let me approach it this way. Sir Alex Ferguson took over Manchester United when I was 8 years old. My knowledge of English football was confined to the stories that my grandfather would tell of Chelsea and the London clubs from his days in Europe after the war. Since I have been aware of professional football, Sir Alex HAS BEEN Manchester United. There aren't too many managers in pro football that can say that their identity is so wrapped up in their club. Perhaps Arsene Wenger is halfway there at Arsenal. Stateside, Jason Kreis MIGHT BE in the infancy of such a time at RSL, but I don't think there will ever be another manager/club relationship like Sir Alex and Manchester United.
If I took the space to list all of Ferguson's accomplishments, we'd be here all day. Suffice it say between 1976 and 2013 Sir Alex has won 49 trophies between St. Mirren, Aberdeen, and Manchester United. These titles include the Scottish Premier Division, the Scottish Cup, The Scottish League Cup, The Barclay's Premier League, The FA Cup, the League Cup. The UEFA Champions League, and the FIFA Club World Cup.
His awards as manager as numerous, including a couple of different "Manager of the Decade" awards. He received the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1983. In 1995 he was named Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). He was also made Knight Bachelor in 1999.
Sir Alex will give way at the end of the season, his last match in charge being against West Brom. He will stay on at United, stepping into the board room where he hopes to still shape the future of the club. Speculation on his replacement is revolving around David Moyes, who is out of contract at Everton, and Jose Mourinho, who is leaving Real Madrid this summer.
The Puddle congratulates Sir Alex on a wonderful career and sends best wishes for his future endeavors.
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