Sir Alex Ferguson has been asked by the Glazer family to
play a central role in the appointment of his successor. With the
Manchester United boss
expected to stand down in two years, the Old Trafford board are
gradually turning their thoughts to finding someone to replace the
most successful manager in modern British football.
And on Thursday night United chief executive David Gill revealed
that the club’s owners, the Glazer family, want Ferguson to be
consulted during the hunt before they have the final say. Speaking
in South Africa, Gill said: ‘The owners and myself and people
involved will obviously get his views.
‘Somebody who has managed the club for so many years and who
knows the club inside out and knows what is required would be
invaluable. ‘It would be remiss of us not to have a discussion with
him and involve him and get his views. He will be a key part of the
process.’
United have been through the process of choosing a successor to
Ferguson once before, of course, when a plc board headed by former
chief executive Peter Kenyon chose Sven Goran Eriksson ahead of the
Scot’s anticipated retirement in 2002. Ferguson changed his mind on
that occasion but there will be no turning back this time.
With United now in private ownership, Gill has confirmed that he
will take control of the interview process — starting discreetly in
2010 — before the Glazers rubber-stamp the appointment. Gill added:
‘The board will make the decision. The owners will expect me to do
the work and then they would get involved in the process of
choosing the right man.
'The manager is a key employee of the club and we need to get it
right and therefore quite rightly the people who own the club
should have the final say. ‘There are no discussions at the moment.
We will address this when it comes around. ‘You have all seen Alex
on this tour. He is looking pretty fit and looking forward to the
new season.’
United are continuing their pursuit of Tottenham striker Dimitar
Berbatov, despite Spurs’ criticism of the Barclays Premier League
champions’ attempts to sign the Bulgaria star. The Premier League
have written to United to ask their views on the subject but Gill
is unconcerned.
Gill added: ‘We will look at it. Tottenham went public with
their complaints and now we will see what the Premier League have
to say and respond to it.’ ‘I don’t think it helps doing this
through the papers but that is clearly what they (Spurs) feel
comfortable doing so we will deal with it.’
