In a touching revelation, Sir Alex Ferguson recently shared the real reason behind his decision to retire from Manchester United after nearly 30 years at the helm. While many fans recall the emotional announcement in 2013, few knew that his departure was largely influenced by personal circumstances involving his wife, Cathy, who was grieving the loss of her sister.
Reflecting on his time with the club, Ferguson, now 82, emphasized that his retirement wasn’t merely about stepping back from football at the age of 71. In a candid discussion with Ally McCoist on the podcast Ally’s Social Club, he recounted the moment he decided to put family first. “Cathy’s sister had died the previous October, and she was definitely lost. By Christmas, I told her, ‘Look, I’m going to retire at the end of the season.’ Her reaction told me everything—I could see she was delighted,” Ferguson said. His commitment to supporting his wife through this challenging time clearly weighed heavily on his heart.
Even though Ferguson’s final squad at Manchester United wasn’t as star-studded as some of his previous title-winning teams, they still managed to clinch the Premier League trophy, finishing 11 points ahead of their fierce rivals, Manchester City. “Every January, I would jot down where our opponents’ games could be won or lost,” he recalled. “I had us down to win by 10 points, but we ended up winning by 11, thanks in no small part to Robin van Persie’s incredible goals and presence on the pitch.” Ferguson’s analysis of his final season highlights his unwavering focus on excellence, even in the face of personal challenges.
After stepping down from his role, Ferguson continued to contribute to the club as a global ambassador and director for another 11 years. However, it appears his time in these roles is coming to an end, coinciding with Manchester United’s cost-cutting measures and a rough patch on the pitch, where they are struggling with one of their worst starts to a league season since 1989.
The full episode featuring Sir Alex Ferguson is set to air on TNT Sports’ YouTube channel, providing fans an intimate look at the thoughts of one of football’s greatest managers as he reflects on his legacy and the motivations behind his retirement from Manchester United.