Sir Alex Ferguson, 82, speaks on ‘missing’ Man United and management in rare interview

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he misses life as a football manager, in his first extended interview in years.  

The iconic manager, 82, retired from management at the end of the 2012-13 season, after leading Manchester United to their 13th Premier League title in what was his 27th year at the club. 

United have struggled for success ever since his departure, with Manchester City leading the way for much of the last decade. 

In his first major interview in years, Ferguson spoke to BBC Breakfast about life post retirement.  

When asked how life is, he responded: ‘Good yeah, I have been retired 11 years now so you find a way of adjusting. 

Ferguson retired on the back of winning his 13th Premier League title in the 2012-13 season

Ferguson still attends Manchester United games and has also been seen at a number of European finals and admitted the latter are ‘games that he can relate to’

Ferguson said he was keeping himself out of trouble, and when asked if he misses life as a manager, he said: ‘Yeah, I miss it sometimes. 

‘I think the first year after retirement, I went to the European final and I said to Cathy ‘this is what I miss’ – big games, the European games.

‘So then I went to most of the European finals because I find something I can relate to, something I would liked to have done every day. 

‘Because these are the big events that United should always be involved in.’

Ferguson has been seen at Champions League finals over the last decade despite the Red Devils not reaching that stage of the competition in that time.

During his reign as manager at Old Trafford, United won the Champions League as part of their iconic Treble in 1999 and again in 2008.

United also reached finals in 2009 and 2011, but lost on both occasions to Pep Guardiola’s legendary Barcelona side.  

Ferguson until this day still also regularly attends Manchester United games both home and away, and at Old Trafford he has had a stand named after since 2011. 

Ferguson is regarded by many as the greatest manager of all time after his incredible success

Ferguson has watched Pep Guardiola’s Man City take over at the top since his departure

He also has a statue outside the stadium which was unveiled by his late wife Cathy. 

Cathy, who sir Alex described as his ‘bedrock,’ died at the age of 84 last October. 

Sir Alex suffered a brain haemorrhage back in 2018, after which he underwent a successful emergency surgery at Salford Royal Hospital. 

Ferguson also spoke to BBC Breakfast as part of National Playlist Day, which is used to celebrate the power of personalised music playlist for those living with dementia.

Speaking about himself, he said: ‘Fortunately my memory is quite good, pray the lord and touch wood it will stay that way.’

He added: ‘I read a lot, I do quizzes, and I think that helps, there is the YouTube quizzes with 100 questions and if I don’t get 70 per cent I’m struggling.’