Sir Alex Ferguson isn’t walking through that door.
On Tuesday, the former Manchester United manager appeared on the television show Charlie Rose and rejected the idea of returning to management — be it at United or any other club.
“I made my decision, Charlie,” Ferguson told Rose. “The timing was perfect. I went out a winner. There’s no way back. I look forward to the challenges of a new life and doing the things I’ve been waiting maybe 35 years to do.
“But you know that I’ve mentioned the Kentucky Derby and I mentioned The Masters and the Melbourne Cup and doing France. There are a lot of things that are coming up, you know. And in terms of doing them, a lot of people when we do these things and these are challenges which I see because once I made my mind up to leave United I was never going to think that I’ve made a wrong decision.
“I was just about looking forward. I’m not interested in managing. I’m not interested in getting myself worked up over United results. In good times, I do — you might as well do a good job.”
Ferguson retired in May, ending a 26-year, trophy-filled tenure in charge of United. He guided United to the 2012-13 Premier League title in his final season charge before passing the reigns to his hand-picked successor.
Former Everton manager David Moyes replaced Ferguson in June, but the Red Devils have struggled in the early part of its new era. United sits 12th in the league standings after six games, and discontent among fans has grown in recent weeks. But Ferguson backs Moyes to succeed despite the early setbacks.
“Absolutely, 100 percent,” he said when asked if he still thinks Moyes is the right man for the job. “And all the club will be. That’s the great thing about the club. They will support the manager and he will be fine, he will be good.”
Ferguson, 71, also revealed that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich once tried to lure him to West London, but he wasn’t interested in leaving his team.
“There was [an overture from Chelsea],” Ferguson said. “He used an agent when he first came and approached me and I said ‘no, no chance.’
“Manchester United is my team, my club.”
Ferguson is adamant that he will not return to the sidelines, saying enjoys his new career — as an ambassador for United and UNICEF — and the possibilities they afford him. It seems nervous United fans should heed (University of Louisville men’s basketball coach) Rick Pitino‘s words of advice. Like Sir Matt Busby, neither Ferguson nor any other legendary United boss is coming to the rescue — if such a thing is even necessary at this point in time.
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