Aphiwe Ngwenya

Undoubtedly one of the best managers in the world, Alex Ferguson has announced his retirement at the end of the season.

Having just won his 13 premier league title with Manchester United just two weeks ago, he leaves the club after being the most successful manager in the English Premier League and the longest standing manager, shortly followed by Arsene Wenger of Arsenal FC.

Having taken over from Ron Atkinson in 1986, he leaves at the peak of his career as United clenched its 20^th league title.  Along with 13 league titles, Ferguson also guided United to two European Cups, five FA Cups and four League Cup triumphs.

After twenty seven years at the club, Ferguson takes up the position of being the clubs brand ambassador and joining the board of directors.

“Going forward, I am delighted to take on the roles of both Director and Ambassador for the club. With these activities, along with my many other interests, I am looking forward to the future,” he said on the clubs official website.

“The decision to retire is one that I have thought a great deal about and one that I have not taken lightly. It is the right time.”

““It was important to me to leave an organisation in the strongest possible shape and I believe I have done so. The quality of this league winning squad, and the balance of ages within it, bodes well for continued success at the highest level whilst the structure of the youth set-up will ensure that the long-term future of the club remains a bright one,” he concluded.

Now for the first time in over a quarter of a century, United are on the hunt for a new manager.

David Moyes, out of contract at Everton, and Jose Mourinho, who is expected to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season, are the obvious favourites, although Borussia Dortmund’s highly-regarded coach Jurgen Klopp and Bayern Munich’s 67-year-old outgoing boss Jupp Heynckes will also come into contention.