Manchester United fans will never forget the moment Sir Alex Ferguson announced his retirement, ending nearly three decades of dominance at Old Trafford.
In a heartfelt revelation, Ferguson recently admitted that his decision to step down in 2013 wasn’t solely because of his age, as many had speculated. The real reason? To be there for his wife, Cathy, as she grieved the loss of her sister.
The legendary Scotsman, who transformed Manchester United into one of the most powerful forces in world football with 13 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues, and countless other trophies, shared the emotional story during a conversation with Ally McCoist on the podcast Ally’s Social Club.
“Cathy’s sister had died the previous October, and she was really lost,” Ferguson explained. “At Christmas, I told her, ‘I’m going to retire at the end of the season.’ I could see how much that meant to her—she was absolutely delighted because she had sacrificed so much for me over the years.”
Ferguson reflected on how Cathy had dedicated her life to supporting him and raising their children while he focused on his career. “She had given her life to me,” he said. “[She was] looking after me because of my job… bringing the kids up. When I told her I was going to retire, I could tell from her body language how much it meant to her.”
Ferguson’s decision came with one final flourish on the field. He bowed out in style, clinching a 13th Premier League title, finishing 11 points ahead of Manchester City despite his final squad being considered less formidable than previous ones. Reflecting on that last triumph, Ferguson said, “Every January 1st, I used to write down where our opponents might drop points. I had us winning by 10 points that year. We ended up 11 ahead. The team did really well, and Van Persie was fantastic—his goals, his power, his confidence.”
Though Ferguson stepped down as manager, he remained involved with the club as a global ambassador and director for another 11 years. However, his long affiliation with Manchester United is coming to an end, as cost-cutting measures at the club have resulted in his role being eliminated, alongside 250 other staff members.
As the current Manchester United side struggles, enduring their worst start to a league season since 1989, Ferguson’s departure from his official duties marks the end of an era—both for the club and for the man who built its modern legacy.
