Former Celt tipped to replace Ferguson at Manchester United
Last night news spread that Ferguson was about to step down at Old Trafford 26 years after moving south from Aberdeen.
Announcing his decision this morning Ferguson said: “The decision to retire is one that I have thought a great deal about and one that I have not taken lightly. It is the right time.
“It was important to me to leave an organisation in the strongest possible shape and I believe I have done so. The quality of this league winning squad, and the balance of ages within it, bodes well for continued success at the highest level whilst the structure of the youth set-up will ensure that the long-term future of the club remains a bright one.”
Moyes has kept tight lipped on his future with no sign of a new contract being agreed at Everton where he has been in charge for 11 years.
Like most bosses in England Moyes is close to Ferguson who has taken a keen interest in his career since loaning out a teenage David Beckham to Preston North End in the nineties.
Jose Mourinho has also been linked with replacing Ferguson despite reports that he is set to return to Chelsea as a replacement for Rafa Benitez.
Like Moyes, Ferguson shares a close bond with Mourinho with the two men meeting earlier this season when Real Madrid knocked Manchester United out of the Champions League.
Yesterday afternoon rumours started that Moyes was set to spend a season as assistant to Ferguson at Old Trafford but that later developed into the real belief that a 26 era at Old Trafford was about to end.
Word spread following a golf day between the United players and coaching staff that Sunday’s visit from Swansea could be Ferguson’s last in the Old Trafford dug out.
United finally confirmed that Ferguson was stepping down shortly after 9am this morning with the story quickly switching to who his replacement will be with Moyes and Mourinho the two front runners.