Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has announced today that he will be retiring at the end of this season after 26 years.  Alex Ferguson's early football career was based in Scotland where he played for Dunfermline as a professional from 1964, he finished his playing career 10 years later in 1974 with Ayr United. After managerial roles with East Stirlingshire, St Mirren and Aberdeen, Alex Ferguson joined Manchester United in November 1986.

Alex Ferguson is the most successful British football manager in history, he took Manchester United from a club that had not won anything for 26 years, to winning 38 trophies throughout the last 26 years, including being crowned this seasons Premier League champions.  Another impressive feat is being the only manager to ever steer their team to one of the top three Premier League places for twenty consecutive seasons since the 1991/92 season. There have been numerous memorable years and events during Ferguson's years at Manchester United, perhaps one of the most famous being the 1998/99 season where the club became the first to ever win 'The Treble', the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League.  Alex Ferguson is Manchester United's longest ever serving manager and filling his position will be a tough job, he has also won Manager of the Year more times than any other manager in British footballing history.

Alex Ferguson who was born and raised in Scotland is now 71 years old had said in a statement to the press that "it is the right time" to retire.  Ferguson went on to say that he has left the squad in the 'strongest possible' position, he stated "The quality of this league winning squad, and the balance of ages within it, bodes well for continued success".  Ferguson has agreed to stay at Manchester United as a club director and he will be an influential figure on deciding upon his replacement.

It is thought that Ferguson's replacement would need to have an extended history of managing a team at Champions League level, as well as experience with a large squad and managing a big budget. Several names have so far been put forward as potential successors including Jose Mourinho who is expected to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season, it was thought he would return to Chelsea however, with Ferguson's unexpected departure from Manchester United could a new Premier League challenge be on the horizon? Jurgen Klopp Borussia Dortmund's manager has also been named along with the Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini.  There are some media reports stating current Everton Manager David Moyes to be favourite as Ferguson's successor he does not however meet the criteria of past experience. Whoever does eventually become the new manager will have a tough challenge to leave a legacy as impressive as Alex Ferguson's.

What do you think about Ferguson's retirement plans?

Who would you like to see managing the Manchester United squad next season?

Tracey writes exclusively for Soccer Box where you can purchase Manchester United shirts, shorts and socks.

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