Debate: should Ferguson quit if he wins the Champions League?

There are mischievous rumours that if Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, lands the big one for a second time on May 21, he will go out on a high and retire. Ferguson is an intelligent guy, though, so why would he do a daft thing like that? He has the best team in Europe, quite probably the best player in the world and fewer miserable Sunday mornings than any manager in the country. He should enjoy it for as long as he can. All talk of an ambassadorial role is nonsense. The best ambassador for United is a winning team, as managed by Ferguson.

What do you think: should Ferguson quit if he wins the Champions League?

Comments

[Eoin]

If Ferguson wishes to be regarded as one of the great managers then he cannot retire until he wins the Champions League again, and preferably twice.

Despite being in control of one of Europe's wealthiest clubs for over 20 years, he has, until this year, only once taken them to a Champions League final, a final he very nearly lost.

His record is not nearly a match for that of Bob Paisley (3 wins), Brian Clough (2 wins with a relatively small club by European standards) or Hitzfeld (2 wins with 2 different clubs). Furthermore, in the time that he has been manager of Man U, four different managers have won the Champions League twice, and he isn't one of them (Sacchi, Hitzfeld, del Bosque and Ancellotti).

I would be surprised if Alex Ferguson is considered a legend by supporters of Real Madrid, Ajax, Bayern Munich or AC Milan. On the biggest stage of all, he has failed to deliver.

[D.Dent]

Let's hope so. The man has no class. The ultimate hypocrite in the EPL, whose stance was later adopted by both AW and JM, when they saw he could get away with it.

Compared to Clough and Paisley, a very second man, and manager.

[D.Dent]

Utd were played off the park against Barca, less than 40% of the ball in both games. They stole the game. No question...

They roll over EPL fodder, but struggle against the bigger teams, especially Chelsea who have a better midfield and control the game. Moscow will be much more of an away game for them, and Chelsea are the superior road team, not to mention the locals will be behind them.

And do any of you myopic Utd supporters think your going to go into RA's backyard and walk out with a victory? Keep dreaming...

Moneypenny...James needs his tea made. That's about all you know...

[Sychow]

The longer he stays the more difficult it is to leave. There is no guarantee that the next man cannot be equal if not better than SAF.

Next stage in ManU's continuing development is to build another brilliant youth team.

Leave this summer and rest proudly on your laurels. You've earned them thoroughly.

[Luong Khanh Thien]

No, I think no one can replace Sir Ferguson now. He is a legend of Manchester and his healthy is good enough for him to work for MU in next 3,4,5...years. I hope so.

[Jonathan KY Heng]

I suggest that Fergie should 'retire' gracefully if Man Utd wins the CL title.Of course he won't if Man Utd fails in the title chase.It brings more harm to the game if he stays.Man Utd needs a new ball game by injecting new coach,new strategy and also new ideas.Anyway his legendery status will remain if he choses to quit.Lets have a fresh beginning.Hopefully next season ??

[Jonathan KY Heng]

I suggest that Fergie should 'retire' gracefully if Man Utd wins the CL title.Of course he won't if Man Utd fails in the title chase.It brings more harm to the game if he stays.Man Utd needs a new ball game by injecting new coach,new strategy and also new ideas.Anyway his legendery status will remain if he choses to quit.Lets have a fresh beginning.Hopefully next season ??

[Haji Bangura]

No,No,No,No way!
Sir Alex, should manage Ma.Utd until he drops.He is the only manager in the Premier League that has the hair dryer.He is capable of making big decisions and later proof to be bang on target.His skin is connected with the stadium,the fans and the players.

[Niko]

Retire? Why?! Sir Alex is still hungry. He's still not flawless. He's still building confidence. He's still building experience. He's still building teams. Most of all; HE'S NOT THE QUITTING KIND! The general rule may be that people shouldn't get stuck as they gradually turn focus from constant evolution to routine. Hasn't Fergie proven that he is the exception that proves that rule? I only ask; What would life be without him? May he still live for many years and be managing United until death us do part!

[m.moneypenny]

D.DENT(Tractor boy) Just where do you get off. Man U may have lost more than Chelski, but they have also won more games. Top goal scorer's, best defence, best entertainers. What more do you what. Tell me- who do you support ??

[Tom]

I expect to see Ferguson in the dugout as usual next season (unless serving a touchline ban of course). He loves Manchester United and has presided over the best years in the clubs history. What Busby achieved was impressive, but Ferguson turned United from a team languishing in mid-table mediocrity into one of the best in the world. His appetite for the game seems as keen as ever, which I'm sure is a source of much frustration to Messrs Wenger, Grant and Benitez!

[Tom Poynton]

God I wish he would.

[JB]

Unless his health takes a turn for the worse, I don't think that Sir Alex will step down at the end of this season. At least, I hope he won't! The team's successes bring joy and pride to the club and its supporters. However, the financial return generated by Manchester United's achievements is absolutely vital, considering the debt hanging over the club. If Sir Alex stepped down, would his replacement be able to hit the ground running? We simply can't afford a lengthy breaking-in period.

[Ben]

Maybe not this season, but i should expect him to hand over the team in good state, not when it needs redoing. He wants the best for united and that means helping plan for the future. You wouldn't bet against him helping to find a replacement and training him up for the job. He'll leave when he's good and ready. Or when Wigan beat them this weekend.

[Issa Bai fofanah]

why should he quit a say he should at least be their for the next three seasons and try to win to premire league and at least one champions league then he might just be thinking about resigning from man utd the best team in the world and the best players in the world Christian Ronaldo,Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinands and the teams has lot of superb players with the young star starting to under the team it will be grate player......................

[james]

I still don't think he's as good as Bill Shankly and Don Revie. Now they were great managers. Almost irreplacable in fact. There are probably 4 or 5 guys that could Fergies shoes tomorrow.

[Rock]

i think he will not be going until he can fore-see a down-slope in his team.

[Tony]

Well done Sir Alex!

[Mike D]

Played off the park by Barca. They scord 0 in both games and VDS had very little to do due to the fantastic form of Brown and Rio. They were nullified and disposed off.

A flat track bully does not have the grace and dynamism of the current United team. The 'bully' is brawn, brute strength and unnecessary aggression. Yes, just like Chelsea.

They do have the indian sign over United because they are heavier, stronger and more willing to bend and break the rules more frequently. They make up for their lack of skill with intimidation and simulation.

I will give credit where credit is due if Chelsea win in Moscow with expansive football and if they go 1-0 up and try and get a second goal before they have conceded an equaliser.

I doubt it somehow. This is United's year. Chelsea have proven they are the best of the rest and well done.

But european football would be a sadder place if Chelsea were Champions. It would be like Porto winning the ECL or Greece being crown champions of Europe ie only their own fans would appreciate it.

Long may Fergie and his beautiful game reign.

[Tomred]

To S Jones regarding his statement

"Ferguson has always paid top price when he could and this is why Utd dominated until AW stepped up, and later RA."

I think you give Arsene Wenger too much credit to suggest he put a spanner in the works for Fergie. Between 1992 and 1997 (the year Wenger joined Arsenal) United won 4 of the 5 League titles. Following the Arsenal double in 1998 United went on to win 4 of the next 5 League titles. Wenger's arrival hardly heralded the end of an era.

It was the arrival of Abramovich in 2003, along with the fact that Fergie took his eye off the ball around the same time (Coolmore fiasco, not finding suitable replacements/alternatives for Keane, Scholes, Giggs, Butt) that led to a temporary hiatus.

Anyway, that is beside the point. As to when Fergie will retire, I see the main problem being that, whilst it would be ideal for Fergie to leave United at the top, it would be difficult for him to do so knowing that he could potentially add to his legacy should he stay on another year or two. At the same time, he wouldn't want to leave on a low, having won nothing in his final season.

I personally think that next season will be his last but hope for his sake, and for United's, that he does not announce his decision in advance as he did prior to the 2001/2002 season. That season it merely served to compromise his major strong point - his ability to motivate his players.

[David M]

When Jock Stein collapsed and subsequently passed away, on 10 September 1985, after Scotland's 1-1 draw with Wales, the man sitting next to him on the bench was his young assistant manager, Alex Ferguson. I've heard that those events had a lasting effect on Sir Alex, showing him the importance of keeping a perspective on the true importance of football. So, if he achieves a second European Cup, I would not be surprised if he decides to leave on a high, while he health is fully intact.

[KW]

Quite simply - NO! He's still got the passion to get into work and watch games across the country - after they beat Barca, he was at Chelsea the next evening watching them beat Lpool. He still has the hunger and is a good influence on the young millionaires that he manages. The problem is not the money spenty on transfer fees (that is sue to supply and demand) in a sense as since RA came in, fees all over have been inflated.....its the money given to the players that is over inflated.

This man should not retire until this current project needs to be rebuilt and that wont be for a few years yet, then he'll pass on the reign.

[Chris H]

Liverpool have 18 titles, Man Utd only have 16. Even if they win the league ths year Ferguson will want a crack at it next season to try and equal Liverpool's record. I expect if he wins it again next year he will still want another season after that to try and beat their record. So no he wont quit this year.

[ac]

As you say D.Dent give credit where credit is due. If Man Utd win the title through goal difference, it is a reflection of how many goals they have scored and how little goals they let it, i.e. by the next best measure after points, better than the team who has an inferior goal difference but same points.

I can't imagine another manager being able to continually rebuild a team like SAF. When he does ago, it would be an end of an era, but I think he has laid a solid foundation for a new manager to succeed.

I think SAF has at most two more seasons, I dont think he is going after CL final whatever the outcome.

[Anthony]

Only Ferguson will know when he no longer has the necessary drive and energy to continue. When that day does come, he should walk away from the club and sever all ties. The last thing his successor needs is Ferguson's shadow cast over him. As soon as there is a run of poor results, there would be calls for Ferguson to be reinstated. Ambassadorial roles should be left to former players like Charlton and Robson because they pose no threat to the current regime. If a player is performing poorly, I don't envisage United fans calling for the return of 70 year old Bobby Charlton.

[C.T]

Well no! simply because if he wins the title this sunday MNU will only be behind liverpool by one league title. Sir Alex would then see it as his last hurrah if and when he surpasses that.

[matt ernshaw]

If, after Moscow, SAF no longer has the desire or energy to continue he should retire. If he maintains his enthusiasm for the challenge, and I think he will, he should continue. He is going to be very, very difficult to replace.

[RedDevil]

Retire?
Don't be slly. SAF has a spot of unfnished business with that lot down the East Lancs.
Twenty titles for United, ie THREE more after this seasons win, plus a couple more CL wins.
Then the man can retire in peace as the best ever...by an even bigger margin than he is today.

[jamie hutber]

hes the best manager ever in the history of english football and i wish him all the best. i dont think he should retire, i would be worried about how the players react if he was to leave and wether they would stay or not

[jamie hutber]

i am a man u supporter and honestly think he is not as good as people say he is and its about time he retires. i would rather see new tactical more asstute managers like ramos take over. i do think chelsea will win the CL and ferguson will bottle it.

[Mr Singh]

As an arsenal fan i can safely say that SAF is the greatest manager this league has ever seen. he completely rebuilt man utd when he took over all those years ago. He is a great asset to football and his achievements should be recognised. he has revolutioned football. Let me ask this to all those people who think he over spends. Did he do so when he first took over? No, he built his team by mixing youth and experience (remember the class of 1999-half the squad were from the academy) Success brings money. this is completely different to what chelsea did (it was spend,spend, spend) SAF bought glory to man utd but i do believe he ought to call it a day IF he wins in moscow. In saying this i wish AW could emulate his success-i am confident he can

[Anwar Taali]

I don't think he should retire, he's built a young squad with a bright future and I think he'd like to stay and see them mature a bit more because their potential is staggering.

With regars to this money nonsense, is Imran really alleging that Keane, Rooney and Rio haven't proved sound investments? Spend money to create money, and comparing them to Zidane, Figo, Crespo et all, who were all mor expensive and were older I don't think we've done too badly.

Finally for those expensive players read Schemichael, Palliseter, Bruce, Ronaldo and the amount he's sold Veron and Beckham for...

[Imran Yusuf]

I think Sir Alex should stay two more seasons, at least to equal Liverpool's claim to be the most successful domestic side. If united win the title this season, he is one behind liverpool's 18. I think he'd like to beat that tally to cement his place even more strongly as a united legend.

I think in that time we could get to another CL final, and since Sir Alex has done most of the hard work in assembling this young team, I think he'll want to enjoy the fruits of it for a little while longer.

I don't think he'll quit after Moscow, if he wins, he'll want to win another european cup.

[S.Jones]

John...

Keane? Ferdinand? Veron? Rooney? Cheap?

Ferguson has always paid top price when he could and this is why Utd dominated until AW stepped up, and later RA.

Utd should have dominated Europe in the last 15 years with their capital. Now, with their half billion debt, only one team can afford the best.

As long as RA stays at Chelsea they will slowly replace Utd as the EPL flagship.

[John]

Continue and try to repeat the task next season. Then he can consider what he wants to do.

[Timothy Tanner]

First off, I admire all Alex Ferguson has done, he hasn't "brought success" as many try to claim, he has found talented players and got many of them cheaply, that he made Man U a success allowed the club to become the big spenders that it has which of course, then helps the manager. His team play attractive football, if I had one question about him it would be his possible tendency to try and be too clever in Europe.

If they win the double this season, he should consider leaving for two reasons.

1) Can he do better then that? He has finally got that second CL trophy and even if he does it again, only another league win with it would match. Or a teble but how likely is that? The Spanish sides are always strong but domestically, Grant will have a lot of money to spend, Arsenal just need to add a a few defensive type players to have a real shot at the title. If Liverpool can sort themselves out then maybe they will have a shot at it soon as well.

To leave on a better note then a CL/EPL double will be very very hard. It will be a rare chance for him to leave with praise ringing in his ears for the present, future as well as the past.

2) The Glazer debt. I can't see the Glazer's being able to fund £50 million transfer budgets every season, if they want to get a profit, or for the club to be stable long term. I fear Sir Alex will have less and less to spend as they desperately try to reclaw the debt or may get tarnished if he is around when Man U's finical woes really start hitting.

[Josh Dickson]

Please don't even tempt it by asking the question. I can safely say it would be the worst thing to happen to us if he did leave. How many other managers consistantly turn up to watch the youth and reserve teams like Ferguson - his dedication is unquestionable, and his knowledge incomparable. If people like Trapattoni at 69 can continue winning trophies, of course Sir Alex can.

[Dave]

Should united win the league next weekend we will be 1 behind Liverpool no way will he go until it is 1 ahead

[sam]

he shouldn't retire because, if he does, manu could well go rapidly down hill and then not be sucessful.

[John]

I think he should have one more season. He'll relish the challenge of being World Club Cup winners (again).

There is also the fact United would have won 17 titles which is one behind 'them'.

[Mark Edwards]

absolutely not! there is no chance fergie will give it up if champions league comes back to the theatre of dreams. He has rebuilt man utd into a young and exciting team with players such as Nani, Anderson, Tevez, Rooney and Ronaldo who will only get better and better, what sort of moron would give that up? He will want to be there to make sure these young talents become the players they deserve to be. Fergie will be there for a good few more years yet!

[Paul Nsanze]

As much as Fergie irritates me with his childish and irrational series of legendary tantrums I hope he stays. EPL without the bucolic scotsman and the Portugeezer would be too dull to bear. With Keegan keeping a safe distance between his mouth,foot and the press I hope we will be spared Average Grant's zombified statements layered on top of Rafa's stuttering nonsense. With the likes of Nani,Anderson,Evra and Ronaldo coming on, Utd must have SAF stick around to nullify any hopes of a Quieroz succession, Queen Elizabeth/Prince Charles stylee.

[Aditya]

The time to retire is when the next rebuilding job begins--at least 3 years away. Ferguson has built four great teams in his time at Old Trafford. I don't expect him to retire just when his best ever side tactically is reaching its peak. He also has the energy and ambition of a 35-year-manager. A second European Cup will put him on top of the list of greatest British managers. A third will take him to the top of the European list. For a man with such an appreciation of history, rest assured he has no plans to quit until he wrenches out every last drop of his ability.

If he decide to do then they should quickly get in Sven, and next time around they may win both games against Manchester Ciy.

SJ, Los Angeles.

[Micky D]

No way in hell. He, should we go on to win the final in Moscow, will want to go back to back. Something we probably should have done in 2000 as we had a magnificent squad but underacheived.

He will want three minimum to go out on. If we dominated Europe and won 3 quick he might want to go out matching (or even breaking) Liverpool's European Cup record. We have a squad to dominate Europe, especially as Ronaldo, Anderson, Nani, Carrick etc. get even better.

He will probably retire only after winning 3 European Cups, and having United pass Liverpool's premiership record.

[D.Dent]

How much longer do we have to have to listen to MS talking rubbish about Utd being the best team in Europe?

Played off the park twice by Barca, and with a far inferior head to head against Chelses in the last few years. They may win the title on goal difference, as they remain the ultimate flat track bully, but they have lost more games than Chelsea, and if they lose the CL final, then let's give credit to where it's due.