Tuesday, 14 May 2013
Sir Alex Ferguson bid an emotional farewell to Old Trafford and urged Manchester United’s fans to get behind his successor David Moyes.
Ferguson’s final game at the Theatre of Dreams ended in fitting fashion, with a late winner in front of the Stretford End to beat Swansea 2-1, before he addressed the capacity crowd.
Everton boss Moyes takes over on July 1 and Ferguson said: “When I had bad times here, the club stood by me.
“All my staff stood by me, the players stood by me, you stood by me, and your job now is to stand by our new manager. That’s important. My retirement doesn’t mean the end of my time at the club. I’ll now be able to enjoy watching them, rather than suffering with them.
“But, if yo think about it, the last-minute goals, the comebacks, even the defeats, are all part of this great football club of ours. It’s been an unbelievable experience for all of us, so thank-you for that.”
Ferguson was choked with emotion as he addressed the Old Trafford crowd for the last time before retiring after 26-and-a-half years in charge of United.
Fighting back tears, Ferguson said: “I have absolutely no script in my mind. I’m just going to ramble on and hope I get to the core of what this football club has meant to me.
“I want to say thank-you to Manchester United. Not just the directors, coaching staff, medical staff, the players, the fans, but to all of you - you have been the most fantastic experience of my life.
“I’ve been very fortunate. I have been able to manage some of the greatest players in the country, let alone Manchester United.
“All the players here today have represented this club the proper way. They won the championship in a fantastic fashion, so well done to the players.
“To the players, I wish them every success in the future. You all know how good you are, you know the jersey you are wearing, you know what it means to everyone here and don’t ever let yourselves down.”
What his players said:
Nemanja Vidic
“Today is a special day, in one way we are happy for the trophy but in another way we are sad the manager is not here for another year. It will be strange not to see him in the dressing room. It is sad after so many years, without him. Even on the last day he wanted to win.”
Robin van Persie
“Winning the title means the world to me. It was a really sad day when we were told the manager was retiring. Everyone understands it and is thankful to him. It’s a massive honour to work with him for a year. He’s incredible.”
Rio Ferdinand
“It’s a personal moment between the squad and manager but it was emotional. We were devastated. It’s a great club and we have to move on. He wants that.”
Ryan Giggs
“Sir Alex just said play the game and not the occasion. He wanted to win. Memories that stick out are when I was younger. When I was 13 playing for Salford Boys and looking to the sidelines and there was Sir Alex.”
Michael Carrick
“It’s been an emotional day. It was a special day. He tried to keep it as normal as possible but you were thinking this is the last one. The reception he got was amazing.”
Jonny Evans
“He’s had a big effect on my career. We won’t notice it until a few years down the line when he’s not here anymore. He’s always had the ability to get the most out of his squad, rotating the team and motivating players.”
Phil Jones
“It’s been incredible working under Sir Alex Ferguson. He’s a fantastic manager. What he’s done for me has been fantastic and I can’t thank him enough.”
and Swansea boss Michael Laudrup
“It is one thing that a manager in a big club stops, but this is a lifetime not a small era. It is incredible. I have huge respect for Sir Alex.”
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