Ferguson refuses to consider retirement

Manager United manager to turn 69 this month, to continue with job.

MANCHESTER: Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson insists he will put any thoughts of retirement on the back-burner for as long as he remains in good health. Ferguson became the longest-serving manager in United’s history on Sunday and, although he celebrates his 69th birthday later this month, the Scot has no intention of calling time on his 24-year reign at Old Trafford in the immediate future.

It is almost nine years since Ferguson famously reversed a long-standing plan to quit and he has never had cause to regret that decision.

His hunger for success is as strong as ever and, with United on course for a record 19th English title and among the favourites for the Champions League, Ferguson is determined to savour every moment of his time at Old Trafford.

“The older you get the more worried you are about retiring,” he told MUTV.

“You start to realise that whilst you have got your health and good fitness, you should carry on in your job. All thoughts of retirement are in the back of my mind.

“It [saying he was going to go] was a mistake. At the time there were some reasons for it. It was one of those things.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 21^st, 2010.