Sir Alex Ferguson cried after retiring, new book claims
Sir Alex Ferguson reportedly broke down in tears in his private office immediately after telling his Manchester United squad that he was retiring in 2013.
The legendary manager has opened up about the emotional toll of his departure in his new memoir, Games of My Life, as reported by the Mirror.
Ferguson, who spent nearly 27 years in charge at Old Trafford, won 13 Premier League titles before stepping down at the end of the 2012-13 season.
An emotional farewell at Carrington
The decision to retire was sparked by the death of Bridget, the sister of his late wife Lady Cathy, in October 2012.
While the iconic boss managed to stay composed when delivering the news to his players and staff at the training ground, his composure crumbled once he was alone.
Writing in his book, Ferguson said:
“I just sat at my desk and cried. I knew then it was over.”
He admitted that the reality of no longer leading his team into major cup finals or European fixtures caught up with him in that quiet moment.
During his final home match against Swansea City, the Scot sat on the treatment table with masseur Rod Thornley and felt a deep sense of finality.
Ferguson recalled thinking that he would never experience those pre-match moments again, though Thornley jokingly predicted he would return within a year.
A brush with death in 2018
The memoir also details Ferguson’s harrowing recovery from a life-threatening brain haemorrhage in 2018.
The legendary Scotsman initially thought his condition was just a bad headache before undergoing emergency surgery.
He revealed that his survival was a near-miracle, noting that only he and one other patient survived out of five who underwent the same operation that day.
The road back to health required intensive physical therapy and speech therapy, during which he had to temporarily give up his beloved red wine.
When he finally returned to the Old Trafford directors’ box for a match against Wolves, the reception from the crowd left him breathless.
Reflecting on his emotional return to the stadium, Ferguson wrote:
“I felt like I was being greeted as if I had returned from the dead, which, in a way, was true because so many of the stories that were printed had read like premature obituaries.”
Tribute to his late wife
Ferguson also paid a touching tribute to his late wife, Lady Cathy, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 84.
He credited her as the true leader of their household, managing their family life while he focused on his high-pressure job.
Expressing his gratitude for her lifelong support, Ferguson wrote:
“Cathy was not just the manager, but also the CEO, assistant manager, team doctor, kit woman and club ambassador.”
The former manager recalled how the 2023 FA Cup final was overshadowed by her failing health, making him reluctant to stay overnight in London.
However, the 2024 FA Cup final brought him joy when United upset Manchester City, with young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo scoring the decisive goal.
A new stadium and future hopes
With United currently planning a state-of-the-art 100,000-seater stadium, the 84-year-old admitted that his own mortality occasionally crosses his mind.
He expressed hope that the club will begin construction quickly so he can witness the opening of the new arena in person.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News, Ferguson wrote:
“I hope they get to break ground quickly, because if it takes five years to complete, I’ll be pushing ninety.”
He added that he would definitely be there for the opening ceremony, whether in person or in spirit.
The memoir, which chronicles 21 of the most significant matches of his life, is now available to the public.
