FERGIE QUITS Manchester United ! After 27 years and 49 trophies

Sir Alex Ferguson has announced he will retire as Manchester United manager after 27 years at the club, moving upstairs to be a member of the board. It is a day that will redefine the landscape of British football. 

Announcing the news, he 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.

“Our training facilities are amongst the finest in global sport and our home Old Trafford is rightfully regarded as one of the leading venues in the world.

“Going forward, I am delighted to take on the roles of both Director and Ambassador for the club. With these activities, along with my many other interests, I am looking forward to the future.

“I must pay tribute to my family, their love and support has been essential. My wife Cathy has been the key figure throughout my career,providing a bedrock of both stability and encouragement. Words are not enough to express what this has meant to me.”

“As for my players and staff, past and present, I would like to thank them all for a staggering level of professional conduct and dedication that has helped to deliver so many memorable triumphs. Without their contribution the history of this great club would not be as rich.

“In my early years, the backing of the board, and Sir Bobby Charlton in particular, gave me the confidence and time to build a football club, rather than just a football team.

“Over the past decade, the Glazer family have provided me with the platform to manage Manchester United to the best of my ability and I have been extremely fortunate to have worked with a talented and trustworthy Chief Executive in David Gill. I am truly grateful to all of them.

“To the fans, thank you. The support you have provided over the years has been truly humbling. It has been an honour and an enormous privilege to have had the opportunity to lead your club and I have treasured my time as manager of Manchester United.”

Ferguson scheduled a meeting to break the news to staff at the club’s Carrington training ground at 9.30am and will hold an interview with United’s in-house television station, MUTV, at 10.30am.

Everton manager David Moyes has been installed as the bookmakers’ favourite to succeed the Scot while Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho is also among the favourites to take over at Old Trafford.

The announcement of Ferguson’s decision to quit came after intense speculation following a golf match between United players and coaches at Dunham Massey on Tuesday.

Ferguson has long been planning for his succession and has consistently cited his health as the decisive factor in the timing of his retirement. He had a pacemaker fitted in 2004 and United confirmed last week that he would undergo hip surgery in August.

David Gill’s decision to stand down as chief executive this summer also sees Ferguson lose a close ally within the club and there have been suggestions that he came close to quitting at the end of last season losing out on the Premier League title to rivals Manchester City.

Ferguson won his 13th league title this year and has previously expressed his regret over announcing his retirement before the end of the 2001-02, which he felt led to poor on-pitch performances and resulted in a U-turn after he had a change of heart.