Manchester United
Sir Alex Ferguson Bows Out In Style
After having clinched their 19th domestic league trophy and joining level on league wins with fierce rivals Liverpool it has come as sad news to Manchester United fans and the rest of the footballing world that Sir Alex has decided to retire from the club. It appears that Fergie has chosen a time in which he can feel proud of what he has achieved and a time where he can bow out on a high. Ferguson who has breathed Manchester United for a vast number of years will be dearly missed by the fans, his peers, his players and by the media who also hold him in such high regard. The wiley Scotsman who was never one to hold back with his post match comments will take his retirement hard but know that he has worked hard and that he deserves to enjoy his twilight years with his family.
Manchester United who have held Ferguson in his tenure for more than 25 years have today released a statement expressing their gratitude to the iconic Scotsman...
Man Utd Website Statement
"Today we suffer the loss of not just one of the best managers ever to grace the game but a true gentleman, a family man, a leader, a much loved father figure for many young footballers. Today we would like to take the time to thank Sir Alex for his wonderful achievements at this club, for his patience, strength and belief. Through his time at the club he has taken Manchester United and defined it in a way that you expect to see glory. From countless trophies to such success we can only thank Ferguson for the years of fantastic memories.
We feel like Sir Alex is the heartbeat to this club, the engine room and the ticking of the clock. Players throughout his time here will be saddened by the news that today brings with it but will be happy that they got to work with such an illustrious man. We have alreday had calls from Sir Alex's peers gushing with compliments, former players have thanked Alex for making them the player they came to be. All in all Ferguson can very much feel that he has changed not just Manchester United but the world of Football. His actions have reverberated around the footballing industry and only made it stronger.
Sir Alex Ferguson, We Thank you!
Manchester United Unveil New Manager
After losing the incredible Sir Alex to retirement many Manchester United fans were left pondering who would be their next manager. With many younger fans only ever knowing Ferguson in charge it seems almost alien as the concept of a new man in charge finally sinks in. The Red Devil fans who had accepted that their iconic manager had retired were linking other big names to the club such as, Real Madrids chief Jose Mourinho, The Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp and Barcelona tactician Pep Guardiola.
The speculation didn't last long though as Manchester United unveiled their new manager only days after announcing the departure of Ferguson. The Red Devils who had kept relatively quiet about who they were planning on making their next manager obviously weren't on the same page as their fans as instead of implementing a big name they chose to apoint Sir Alex Ferguson's right hand man Mike Phelan as the individual to take charge and lead the club foward.
Many fans were left almost unsatisfied at seeing Phelan take the rigns and would have liked to have seen a more decorated manager appointed instead of the relatively untested former assistant. Although the fans have been left a litte irked by the appointment it does seem to make sense. Phelan who has worked with the club and Ferguson for a number of years now knows the players, the staff and the setup of the club. He would have picked up on Ferguson's traits, learned from him and know all about the clubs direction into the future. Phelan over the years has also taken on more responsibilites, such as press conferences and pre and post matchday interviews and will integrate into the role much easier than someone who would be recruited from outside of the club.
Now with Mike Phelan in charge of Manchester United it remains to be seen how he runs the club, if he can handle the pressure as well as his predecessor could or if he'll wilt under it. Maybe Phelan will take to the job like a duck to water or maybe he'll sink and end up washed up and in the dark regions of football obscurity.