Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he broke down in tears in his office after telling the Manchester United squad and staff he would retire in 2013.
Ferguson had managed United for almost 27 years, winning 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, four League Cups, two Champions Leagues and numerous other trophies. Old Trafford’s largest stand is named after him.
The 84-year-old had considered retiring in 2002 but was persuaded by his family to continue. He eventually decided to leave after the death of his wife Cathy’s sister, Bridget, in October 2012.
In his new book, Games of My Life, Ferguson describes the emotional announcement on 8 May 2013 and his final home match. The book also covers the brain haemorrhage he suffered in 2018.
“I had been careful to keep my decision to retire under wraps,” Ferguson wrote. “I hadn’t been contemplating retirement until October 2012, when Bridget, Cathy’s sister, had died.”
He said Bridget’s death had been particularly devastating for Cathy, with the sisters sharing an exceptionally close bond.
“Except for Cathy and our sons, nobody knew about my decision until David Gill came to see me one Sunday afternoon in February and told me that he too had decided to retire,” Ferguson added.
Gill was United’s former chief executive.
Ferguson said he managed to control his emotions while informing the coaching staff, players and others at Carrington. However, once he returned to his office and closed the door, the significance of his decision overwhelmed him.
“I just sat at my desk and cried. I knew then it was over,” he wrote. “I’d not be taking this team to Wembley or to European games and I’d not be sending a team out to win a cup or a league.”
He then hurried to clear his office before the news became public.
Four days later, United hosted Swansea City at Old Trafford. Ferguson received a guard of honour before the match and lifted the club’s 20th top-flight trophy. United won 2-1.
While the players warmed up, Ferguson sat in the dressing room with masseur Rod Thornley and reflected on the fact that he would never experience the occasion again. Thornley replied: “You’ll never last. You’ll be back next year. Don’t worry about that.”
Ferguson’s final Premier League match was a 5-5 draw away at West Brom. He said he travelled to France shortly afterwards, staying at a hotel he and his family had visited for many years.
The concierge told him he would no longer need special messages, referring to the Premier League fixture list, usually released in mid-June. Ferguson had previously been eager to learn United’s opening opponents, the season’s schedule and the final run-in.
“For the coming season it was no longer my responsibility and I could concentrate on enjoying my first free summer since I was a boy,” he wrote.
Games of My Life, co-authored with Sir Michael Moritz, is published by Macmillan on 8 October.
