Anxious players quiz Fergie about retirement date
LONDON: Manchester United’s players have sought assurances about how long Alex Ferguson intends to continue at Old Trafford before committing their future to the club, the United manager has revealed.
Ferguson says he intends to remain at the helm for at least ‘two or three more years” before thinking about retirement.
He also expects to continue at the club in some capacity beyond his coaching career as he is likely to influence the identity of his successor.
Although he refuses to set a timetable for his departure from the dugout, Ferguson admits the expectation he may soon move aside has impacted on contract talks with his players.
”They all ask,” said Ferguson, in a Radio 5 Live interview.
“The players or their agents ask the chief executive and the way David (Gill) answers is I have no intention of retiring at the moment and therefore it’s not a question we need to answer, because we do not know.
“We’ve never discussed who would take over. That is a dangerous game. We need someone with experience at United. No doubt.”
Meanwhile, Ferguson has revealed his regret at passing up the chance to sign Manchester City’s Joe Hart for a bargain fee earlier in his career.
Hart joined City from Shrewsbury in 2006 and has become England’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Ferguson believes he is now the best keeper this country has produced in two decades.
”I could have bought Joe Hart for £100,000 so we all make mistakes,” he said.
“I’ve no doubt (that Hart will be England goalkeeper for the next 10 years).
“If you look at the England goalkeeper situation for the last 20 years, I would think he’s easily the best.”
After 26 years at Old Trafford and a multitude of players under his command, Ferguson said there is one in particular he regrets not buying.
”I tried to sign Paul Gascoigne,” said Ferguson.
“Since 1966 he’s the one star England has produced. He was unbelievable. I wish I could have got him and done something with him.
”He could have played for Brazil. The mistake he made was going to London in his early twenties.
“Bryan Robson or Bobby Robson would have helped him a little bit here.”