Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that his decision to retire from Manchester United was driven by a desire to spend more time with his wife, Cathy, following the death of her sister.
Ferguson, who stepped down in 2013 after 27 years in charge at Old Trafford, led the club to 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, and numerous other accolades during his tenure.
Though many believed his retirement at 71 was due to his age, Ferguson explained on Ally McCoist’s podcast, Ally’s Social Club: “Cathy’s sister had died in the previous October and she was lost.
“She was definitely lost so at Christmas I said to her ‘Look, I’m going to retire at the end of the season’.
“I knew by her reaction that she was delighted because she was on her own. She had given her life to me, everything to me.
“[She was] looking after me because of my job… bringing the kids up. When I said I was going to retire, she was delighted and I knew that. I could tell by her body language.”