Legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has given an interesting answer after being asked if he ever wishes to still be in charge at Old Trafford
Jake Bayliss Sport Writer – U35s
11:27, 20 Sep 2025Updated 11:33, 20 Sep 2025
Sir Alex Ferguson was asked if he would want to return to management(Image: BBC)
Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that there are still times he wishes he were in the Manchester United dugout.
The legendary manager retired 12 years ago, but his desire to help guide the club has not left him. Ferguson won 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups and enjoyed two Champions League triumphs, among other major honours, during his 26 years at Old Trafford.
In 2013, he led United to their most recent league title before calling time on his career. It’s likely that Ferguson would have always had moments when he wished to remain involved at United.
However, the club’s struggles under Ruben Amorim and his predecessors in the post-Ferguson era can only have added to the Scotsman’s occasional yearning to remain in charge. “People don’t seem to realise, I’ve been retired 12 years, you know,” Ferguson told the BBC after being asked if he was ever tempted to return to football management.
“I picked the right time – I thought, at the time. Sometimes you watch the games and you think, ‘I wish I was back in there for five minutes.’ You know what I mean, but it is what it is.”
He went on to add: “I had a great career. I was a manager for 39 years. From 32 years of age to 71.” Ferguson won an astonishing 28 major trophies, excluding the Community Shield, during his tenure at United.
His success set standards that the club has struggled to reach ever since. Amorim became the club’s sixth permanent manager after Ferguson’s retirement and four coaches have also served on a caretaker or interim basis during that time.
Sir Alex Ferguson guided Manchester United to their 20th league title in 2013(Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Amorim came within one result of delivering the Europa League during his first few months in charge before losing to Tottenham Hotspur in the final. United previously won the trophy under Jose Mourinho in 2017 and the club also finished runners-up in the same competition under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer four years later, losing to Villarreal on penalties.
However, Amorim winning the Europa League and securing a Champions League place would have done little to mask the club’s league form. United finished 15th in the table, their lowest league position since returning to the top-flight in 1975.
Despite spending more than £200million to strengthen the squad in the summer transfer window, United have continued to fall short of expectations at the start of the new season. Amorim’s side have picked up four points from four league games and suffered a humiliating Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby.
Ruben Amorim and previous Manchester United managers have failed to match Sir Alex Ferguson’s success(Image: Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images)
While Ferguson may still wish he could influence United’s fortunes from the dugout, the 83-year-old has a fresh focus. He is an ambassador for the Playlist for Life charity, which promotes the positive effects that listening to familiar music can have on people with dementia. The topic is close to Ferguson’s heart.
“I have a situation myself, with my brother [Martin],” he told BBC Sport. “It’s not easy. I have to be in touch with him a lot. He recognises me [but] the memory’s not great.
“But he’s not bad. He’s not getting any worse, let’s put it that way, which is very encouraging.”
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
£49
£35
Sky
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.