|  |  |  | |
| | Latest Stories, Video, and Commentary about Manchester United | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| |
|
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says he no longer thinks about retiring as he receives an honorary doctorate from Manchester University.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says he no longer thinks about retiring and is looking forward to bringing further success to the club. The 69-year-old is celebrating 25 years as United boss but has intimated he would step down if his health or hunger for the job deteriorated.
"I just don't think about retirement any more," said Ferguson.
"We've got a good young team and a lot of youth at the club as well as some tremendous staff. The future is good."
Ferguson added: "When you've been on the treadmill for so long, 25 years in my case, and my health is good at the moment, it's just a matter of looking forward to being the manager of Manchester United, rather than worrying about Alex Ferguson.
"The great part for me is still to be out on the field with the players and coaching them. As the game has changed, I have had to change with it. For example, sports science in the last decade has seen a phenomenal improvement and that has become a major development in the game."
SIR ALEX FERGUSON'S UNITED HONOURS- Premier League (12): 1992-93, 1993-94, 1995-96, 1996-97, 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2002-03, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2010-11
- FA Cup (5): 1989-90, 1993-94, 1995-96, 1998-99, 2003-04
- League Cup (4): 1991-92, 2005-06, 2008-09, 2009-10
- Champions League (2): 1998-99, 2007-08
- Cup Winners' Cup (1): 1990-91
- Club World Cup (1): 2008
Since joining United from Aberdeen in November 1986, Ferguson has become the most decorated coach in British football.
He has won the Premier League title 12 times, the FA Cup on five occasions, four League Cup finals, two Champions League triumphs and also the now-defunct European Cup Winners' Cup.
University of Manchester deputy president and deputy vice-chancellor Professor Rod Coombs, who was also in attendance at Tuesday's ceremony, said: "These two and a half decades of the Ferguson era at United have coincided with - and been a big part of - the renaissance of this city. That renaissance has been manifest in industry, in commerce, in architecture, in the arts, in our university, and in sport.
"Of course we are blessed with two great football clubs here, but today we are celebrating the achievements of one manager who has made a unique contribution at Manchester United, and through that, a unique contribution to the city of Manchester and its prominence in the world.
"Every citizen of Manchester, every business in Manchester, and everything that comes out of Manchester, has an extra visibility and an instant recognition factor all over the world.
"The sustained success of Manchester United is such a potent driver of that phenomenon. And the reason it has been sustained for so long is standing here on the platform today. His achievements are truly unique." |
|
| |
| | |
| |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| |
|
 Dejan Stankovic is to retire from international football as doubts arise over the futures of Nemanja Vidic and Serbia coach Vladimir Petrovic.
Serbia face rebuidling ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Scotland and Wales after talisman Dejan Stankovic announced his international retirement. And Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic also hinted that he is considering the same decision. Captain and Inter Milan midfielder Stankovic is already 33, while Vidic is now 29. The pair were talking after Serbia failed to qualify for the Euro 2012 finals, finishing third in Group C. Tuesday's 1-0 defeat away to Balkan rivals Slovenia saw Estonia - who were not in action - claim the play-off spot in a group already won by Italy. Coach Vladimir Petrovic, who took over from Radomir Antic after a 1-1 home draw with Slovenia early in the campaign, could follow Stankovic through the exit door after failing with a cagey and ineffective 4-5-1 formation.
It is time to bring on younger players in the national side. Some of the old-stagers should retire from the team
Nemanja Vidic Serbia defender Stankovic, who equalled Savo Milosevic's record of 102 international appearances, confirmed he would hang up his boots after the next friendly international, which will make him Serbia's most-capped player. "This was my last competitive match for my country, I will play one more game and that will be my farewell to the national team," Stankovic told Belgrade media. "Slovenia, who had only pride to play for, produced an outstanding performance while we had dropped points in places we shouldn't have before we came to what was always going to be a difficult away match in Maribor. "It is a painful end because we had the quality to reach next year's finals in Poland and Ukraine and we really should have done better." Vidic, who missed the chance to equalise from the penalty spot after Dare Vrsic's high cross deceived goalkeeper Bojan Jorgacevic to give Slovenia the lead in first-half stoppage time, thought it was a time for reflection. "It is time to bring on younger players in the national side," said the defender with 56 caps. "Some of the old-stagers should retire from the team."
WORLD CUP 2014 QUALIFYING GROUP A- Scotland (52)
- Croatia (9)
- Serbia (21)
- Belgium (34)
- Macedonia (94)
- Wales (90)
(World ranking in brackets) Petrovic was frank when asked if he would step down from the side seeded 21st in the world. "They don't need to sack me because my contract expires in two months' time and it's up to the FA whether they want to extend it," said the coach. Of the six teams drawn in Europe's World Cup qualifying Group A, none have so far qualified for the Euro 2012 finals, with only Croatia still having a chance to make it via the play-offs. The Croats, who are ranked ninth in the world, failed to top Group F despite a 2-0 win over Latvia after two late goals put Greece through following their 2-1 win in Georgia. Belgium, who are ranked 34th, finished behind Germany and Turkey in Group A after losing 3-1 in Dusseldorf as the Turks edged out Azerbaijan 1-0. Macedonia, now 94th in the world, finished fifth in Group B, ending their campaign with a 1-1 draw at home to Slovakia. The Scots, presently 52nd in the world, missed out on finishing runners-up in Group I after losing 3-1 in Spain as the Czech Republic leaprogged them following a 4-1 demolition of Lithuania. Wales, ranked 90, were fourth in Group G but ended on a high with back-to-back wins over Switzerland and Bulgaria. |
|
| |
| | |
| |
|  | |  | |
|
