Legendary football manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he retired from Manchester United to spend more time with his wife, Cathy, after the death of her sister.
Ferguson, who stepped down in 2013 after 27 years at Old Trafford, during which he won 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, and numerous other honors, made this decision to support his wife.
His retirement came 13 years after he had initially announced plans to retire in 2000, only to later change his mind. While many thought he retired due to reaching 71, Ferguson shared on the “Ally’s Social Club” podcast that Cathy’s sister’s death the previous October had deeply affected her.
He explained, “Cathy was really struggling, so at Christmas, I told her I would retire at the end of the season. Her response made it clear she was relieved, as she had spent her life supporting me and raising our family.”