Fergie closes to retirement
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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has restated his intention not to be a manager at 70.
Fergie will celebrate his 67th birthday on New Year's Eve, suggesting his exit from Old Trafford is drawing ever closer.
He revealed in the summer that he does not envisage working past 2010, claiming Inter Milan coach José Mourinho is the only man for the job.
Now, in an interview paying tribute to Sir Bobby Robson, who was sacked at Newcastle at the age of 71, Ferguson has once again repeated his desire to step into retirement in the near future.
He told the Mail: "I won't be doing a Bobby Robson and be a manager when I am 70.
"It is just knowing when to quit.
"Football is like a drug which is difficult to give up.
"My appetite and enthusiasm are as strong as ever. I love watching Manchester United. We have some terrific players who are only going to get better."
Reports have recently suggested that United have opened talks with Mourinho about becoming their next manager.
The Portuguese gaffer stated earlier this week that he wants return to the Premier League once his contract with the Serie A side expires in 2011, which could very well fit with Ferguson's retirement date.
However, United have rejected the reports, insisting they have not looked at what might happen when Ferguson finally decides to step down.
"As we have said many times before, there has been no discussion about who will eventually succeed Sir Alex," said a United spokesman.
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Fergie will celebrate his 67th birthday on New Year's Eve, suggesting his exit from Old Trafford is drawing ever closer.
He revealed in the summer that he does not envisage working past 2010, claiming Inter Milan coach José Mourinho is the only man for the job.
Now, in an interview paying tribute to Sir Bobby Robson, who was sacked at Newcastle at the age of 71, Ferguson has once again repeated his desire to step into retirement in the near future.
He told the Mail: "I won't be doing a Bobby Robson and be a manager when I am 70.
"It is just knowing when to quit.
"Football is like a drug which is difficult to give up.
"My appetite and enthusiasm are as strong as ever. I love watching Manchester United. We have some terrific players who are only going to get better."
Reports have recently suggested that United have opened talks with Mourinho about becoming their next manager.
The Portuguese gaffer stated earlier this week that he wants return to the Premier League once his contract with the Serie A side expires in 2011, which could very well fit with Ferguson's retirement date.
However, United have rejected the reports, insisting they have not looked at what might happen when Ferguson finally decides to step down.
"As we have said many times before, there has been no discussion about who will eventually succeed Sir Alex," said a United spokesman.
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