Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson is set to retire from his role as club ambassador at the end of the current season, according to a source familiar with the decision who spoke to The Associated Press on Tuesday. The individual requested anonymity because they had not yet made the announcement public.
At 83 years old, Ferguson will amicably depart from the ambassadorship, and the club will continue to welcome him at Old Trafford. Widely regarded as one of the greatest managers in soccer history, Ferguson led United to 13 Premier League titles and an impressive total of 28 major trophies during his tenure, making him the club’s most successful manager.
Ferguson has served as a club ambassador since retiring in 2013, when he guided United to their last league title. His departure comes amid significant changes at the club, particularly following the partial buyout by British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe in February. Ratcliffe’s investment of $1.3 billion for a 27.7% stake has initiated an extensive restructuring of the club, which has included staff redundancies totaling around 250 roles.
In its latest financial report, Manchester United announced losses of £113.2 million ($148 million).
Ferguson’s journey with United began in 1986, during a period when the club had lost its status as a dominant force in English soccer. He famously ended a 26-year wait for a league title in 1993 and went on to establish United’s dominance throughout the Premier League era. Ferguson retired in 2013, leaving the club as champions with an 11-point lead over Manchester City, backed by Abu Dhabi ownership.
Under his management, United also secured two Champions League titles and achieved an unprecedented treble in 1999, winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League in the same season.
Since stepping down, Ferguson has remained a passionate supporter of the team, attending matches both at home and away, even as the club has faced challenges on the pitch.
As part of the recent changes at Manchester United, Jim Ratcliffe has taken control of the club’s soccer operations, which the majority owner, the Glazer family, previously oversaw. The club has also appointed a new CEO, Omar Berrada, and a sporting director, Dan Ashworth, along with key figures from Ratcliffe’s Ineos Sport, including Dave Brailsford and Jean-Claude Blanc, to the board.
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