For so long Sir Alex Ferguson has given no clear indication when
exactly he shall retire from club management, but earlier today -
and as reported by Goal.com - the wily Scot
expressed that he would sketch his last chalk-board once he has
claimed a further two European Cups.
That only leaves the question as to who has the capacity, the
nuance, the know-how, to succeed a man who has overseen a lengthy
period of unrivalled dominance in the Premier League. Many have
pin-pointed former Manchester United sons Mark Hughes, Roy Keane,
and Steve Bruce as noble contenders. Others foresee Martin O'Neill
as the man to push the Old Trafford outfit on.
Former Chelsea manager and current Internazionale boss Jose
Mourinho, though, could be in line to become the first non-British
and non-Irish person to command control of one of the most famous
names in world football, as Ferguson today dropped a hint that it
is the charismatic Portuguese, who he holds in the highest of
regards.
Regarding his successor, Sir Alex told CNN, "I am glad
it is not my decision. But whoever it is, it needs to be someone
with experience.
"Manchester United is a massive club," he said. "The club I
joined in 1986 is nothing like the one it is today."
Something Special
Referencing specific candidates who could execute the
job to a high quality, Ferguson nominated a
man whom he has a certain amount of affection for. However, he also
tempered his words with caution.
"I like Jose Mourinho. He is a good guy and someone I get on
very well with. But people forget how quickly the game changes. The
job of a football manager is a pretty fragile one.
"You can be on the very top of the world and then after two
defeats you are the worst team ever. Hopefully I will be here for
another two or three years. Who knows what will have happened in
that time.
"Thinking about Jose Mourinho or Arsene Wenger or whoever is
going to be impossible."
Many have speculated that Ferguson will retire once he ensures
Manchester United succeed Liverpool as the most successful English
club, although his age have more of a say.
"I am 67 now," he said. "At the moment I am still healthy and
enjoying my job. If that was different I would quit
immediately.
"But winning a specific trophy does not come into it. I would
love this club to win more European trophies. We definitely should
have at least a couple more.
"But just by being in so many semi-finals and quarter-finals, it
shows you how hard it is to win," he concluded.