Fergie not thinking about retirement just yet!

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he has no plans to leave football just yet.

Speculation has been rife in the media in recent years about when the veteran will leave the Old Trafford hot seat.

Defiant

The Scot told a Sports congress in Doha: “I’m in no mood for it (retiring). As long as my health is good I intend to carry on.

“If my health deteriorated it would be different but retirement is for young people – they can do something else.

“If I get off that treadmill where do you think I’d go – only one way, down.”

That statement could not be truer. The Scot has been in the game for most of life and I’m sure he would be lost without the cut and thrust of football.  Fergie reminds of the late great Bill Shankly in his love of the game. The legendary Liverpool boss spent a lot of his retirement at Liverpool’s training ground.

He lived very close to Everton’s training ground. The story was told  was that he would also spend some of his time watching Liverpool’s city rivals Everton train and sometimes even play (despite his banter!), that’s how much he loved the game. It’s hard for a real football man to walk away from the beautiful game. I’m sure Fergie would drive his wife crazy if he does retire.

Legend

Sir Alex Ferguson will go down as one of the greatest managers in the history of the game. The amount of trophies he has won is almost unparalleled in the English game. Love him or hate him he is a real winner and will be really hard to replace.

Upstairs

I have a feeling that when Fergie does eventually bring down the curtain on his glorious managerial career he will still play some role at the club. He will definitely have a say in who will replace him as the boss of Manchester United.

He knows football inside and out and is probably the best person to ask about his replacement. He will be already casting an eye around the world for the ideal person to replace him. Although I think he already has a good idea over who is going to replace him.

Replacement

The big question is who will be the Scot’s replacement. That question could depend on the timing of Fergie’s retirement. Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho is of course current favourite for the job when the Scot retires but I believe that he will want to win titles with Real before moving on.

Although Los Blancos have started the season strongly they have stiff competition in La Liga and the Champions League from bitter-rivals Barcelona. The trophies may not arrive at the Bernabeu this season and Mourinho will want to make his mark at the Bernabeu.

That could mean Mourinho not becoming available for a few years. However if the timing of Fergie’s retirement suits Mourinho I can’t see the ‘Special One’ turning down the chance of returning to English football.

Relationship

Fergie and Mourinho struck up a rapport when Mourinho was manager of Chelsea, even though they were rivals. This rapport was struck up because Mourinho knew Fergie was one of the few managers he couldn’t beat at mind games. He has great respect for the Scot and what he has achieved.

Unfinished

Although I think Mourinho will be the next manager of United, as I previously stated I doubt it will be for a while. Fergie still has a good few years left in him.

He still has his sights set on breaking Liverpool’s record of winning 18 league titles and will also be hoping to win more European Cup’s. Fergie retire not on your life!