Carry on Fergie: United boss keen to stay at Old Trafford when he quits as manager

By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 10:11 AM on 20th February 2012

Sir Alex Ferguson says he wants to stay on at Manchester United when he eventually quits as manager.
The United boss says he has another 'two or three years' left at United and believes there will still be a role for him to play at the club when he does retire.
The 70-year-old Scot says he would be keen on a similar ambassadorial role to the one that Sir Bobby Charlton has at the club.
Supportive dad: Sir Alex Ferguson takes advantage of a rare Saturday off to go and watch his son Darren's Peterborough side beat Bristol City 3-0 at London Road
Supportive dad: Sir Alex Ferguson takes advantage of a rare Saturday off to go and watch his son Darren's Peterborough side beat Bristol City 3-0 at London Road
'I will remain active. I think there will be a role for me at United after I finish,' he told BBC Radio 5 Live in an interview to be broadcast on Monday evening.
In his time at United the club have won 12 Premier League titles, two European Cups, five FA Cups and four League Cups making the club one of the most decorated sides in world football.
He was due to retire at the end of the 2001-02 campaign after United won the title, but decided the challenge of rebuilding another United team was too good to walk away from.
Similar role: Ferguson is keen to take a role at the club similar to that of Sir Bobby Charlton
Similar role: Ferguson is keen to take a role at the club similar to that of Sir Bobby Charlton
Keen to continue: Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to remain at Old Trafford when he steps down as manager
Keen to continue: Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to remain at Old Trafford when he steps down as manager
'I think you always want to go out on a winning note,' said Ferguson.
'Hopefully we can do that. I don’t know how long I can last now but if my health stays up I don’t think another two or three years would harm me.'
One things that keeps Ferguson going is the rivalry with Liverpool which he says is not seen anywhere else.
He added: 'The thing about us and Liverpool is the rivalry, the rivalry is unparalleled. They are the most fantastic games.
Familiar site: Ferguson has won 12 Premier League trophies in his time at Old Trafford
Familiar site: Ferguson has won 12 Premier League trophies in his time at Old Trafford
'They’re unparalleled in British history in terms of the success of both clubs and that’s why we need each other.'
There has been constant speculation about who will succeed Ferguson, with a string of former players linked with the job at various times.
But Jose Mourinho remains one of the favourites for the post and Ferguson believes he would be given more 'freedom' at United than he currently has at Real Madrid.
Best of Enemies: Ferguson thinks the rivalry with Liverpool is unparalleled
Best of Enemies: Ferguson thinks the rivalry with Liverpool is unparalleled
Ferguson also spoke of his life away from his work, confirming he is a football addict who spends much of his home life watching matches with his grandchildren.
'I normally watch a game every night,' he said. 'The way that football is today, you have football on every night of the week. The only night when you don’t is Thursday and now I’ll be involved in those games.'
Always delivers: Ferguson says his wife Cathy is keen for him to be a milkman when he retires
Always delivers: Ferguson says his wife Cathy is keen for him to be a milkman when he retires
On his grandchildren, he added: 'Harvey is the know-all, he’s a million questions a second. Harvey’s favourite is Nani. I have to say: ‘Harvey, give us a break. One question at a time please.’ They come to as many games as they can.'
He also says his wife is keen for him to remain active and has even suggested he becomes a milkman when he steps down as Manchester United manager.
Ferguson also admitted to having an iPod and opened up about the music he listens to. 'I have Spotify — it’s fantastic, 15 million songs on it: Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Patsy Cline, Willie Nelson, that kind of stuff.'
Good friends: Ferguson enjoys a day at Newbury races with West Ham manager Sam Allardyce
Good friends: Ferguson enjoys a day at Newbury races with West Ham manager Sam Allardyce
When the topic of wine cropped up, Ferguson was in his element describing one post-match meeting with Sam Allardyce.
'Big Sam bought me a lovely bottle of wine when we were playing a few years back on my birthday,' he said.
'His kit manager brought it in the morning wrapped up in some paper, so I opened it and replaced it with a bottle of Ribena. We saw each other later and he said that’s for you to open later but I said no, I’ll open it now and drink it with you. When he opened the bottle he ran after the kit man, shouting. I thought he was going to kill him.'

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You never know with Sir Alex, he may quit this summer and Mourinho come in... doubt it, but the point being, he will never let on when he will go...
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when he retired, he will sell all his great player to man city coz he's supported man city in his childhood time. - gary neville the nut, Manchester, 20/2/2012 11:34 OMG...I thought half term had finished.... Get back to school .......FOOL!!
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God help the poor guy that takes over.
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when he retired, he will sell all his great player to man city coz he's supported man city in his childhood time.
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As a City fan ill miss the man when he goes i dont know where he gets the hunger from to carry on.
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love this man. The happiness and moments of joy he and his teams have brought to me leaves me speechless. Highs and lows of course, but mainly highs. - JP, Manchester, 20/02/2012 09:57 Ohh I'm very touched , I have tears down my face
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One of the greatest men football has and will ever see.
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I find these comments from SAF strange as he has always said previously than when he retires he will walk away from OT so as not to be a burden to the new manager. SAF knows full well how the ghost of Busby loomed large over so many managers at OT. This would be a terrible decision by the board to keep his close to the club and would cause MUFC more harm than good. They should give him a global ambassador role where he spends his time touring the globe preaching MUFC, keep the old boss as far away from OT as possible. He's done an incredible job at United but he will make it an impossible job for his successor if he is looming large in the background.
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He only wants to stay there to interfere and its money for nothing
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I love this man. The happiness and moments of joy he and his teams have brought to me leaves me speechless. Highs and lows of course, but mainly highs.
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