On why Sir Alex quit

On the face of it, the decision is perplexing. A season that ended four weeks prior to the actual conclusion saw United galloping to the title, leaving their rivals well in tow. The noisy neighbors had been silenced. Sir Alex was on 49 titles. He was consciously building a core that would last another 5 years. He was readying another assault on Europe. He was healthy. Most important of all, he seemed to be enjoying himself. And then he quit.

Many people feel that he quit at the wrong time. Things were falling into place and he had a few good years left in him, they felt. However, in the end, it was always going to be his decision and it is a decision that he has made. However much people think it is wrong, as always, In Fergie, we Trust.

I must admit that I was shocked to hear the news and was in shock for much of the day. However, once I gathered my wits – and that was no mean feat – I got around to thinking about the why of it. Luka Modric, my friend quipped. Don’e be silly, I replied. And then I thought. Luka Modric, I concurred.

Luka Modric made the great Alex Ferguson retire? I can see the Ha!s and the smirks on the faces but please let me explain. As I wrote in my review of the game, when Nani was sent off – that debate will rage on but for the time being, let us park it – Mourinho sent Luka Modric on. Fergie froze. He could not believe that Nani had been sent off. Instead of reacting swiftly, he allowed himself to wallow in pity. In other words, he went soft in the head. The rest is history. Real progressed.

Sir Alex, always the most hard-nosed and cold of decision makers, must have analyzed that game in his head time and again. He would’ve known that had he reacted more swiftly, United might still have made it through. He then made another colossal error against Chelsea the following weekend. He played much the same side as the Champions League clash. He shouldn’t have. The second half performance showed it.

Similarly, two days ahead of the return leg, he played van Persie the whole game. Robin was, visibly, not at his sharpest against Chelsea and eventually United crashed out tamely. These were only a few of the very questionable calls that he made this term. This would’ve played on his mind. He would’ve questioned himself. Not doubted, mind you, but questioned.

He would have looked at himself objectively and asked if he still had the hunger. The answer would, overwhelmingly, have been a yes. Then he would’ve looked himself in the eye and asked himself the most difficult question that the ego had to have answered – am I still the best man for the job? He would’ve looked at Alex Ferguson being an integral part of Manchester United and then he would’ve looked at Manchester United being an integral part of Alex Ferguson.

He would’ve known. He was convinced that it was time to go. He knew that he was leaving the club in substantially better shape than the one in which he inherited it. He knew that it was time for a change of guard. He knew that fresh ideas were needed. He knew that he might still have a few seasons in him but he also knew that if he did stay on, his eventual successor might not have it this good. He knew that he was giving breathing space for the man who will eventually succeed him by laying bare tools by which he, the successor, could make sure that he built a team that woudl dominate domestically and internationally.

In the end, Sir Alex Ferguson must have rolled back the years. He must have looked at the difficult decisions that he made. He must have looked at Stam. He must have looked at Beckham. He must have looked at Keane. And then he must have looked at himself. He then would have concluded. No man is bigger than Manchester United. He managed by that philosophy. He now retires by it.

Thank you, Sir Alex. It was our pleasure.

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