Sir Alex retires - A United fan's heart speaks

Since the beginning of time, for our generation, there have been things which have been absolute constant and we had always taken them for granted – the rising of the sun every morning, the flowing of a river into an ocean, the spinning of the earth on its axis, the change of seasons; and Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. Like death, they all are universal truths, and even a minor disruption to any of them causes a huge stir around the world. Yesterday, unfortunately, was one such day.

“Sir Alex has retired, are you okay?” is the common message that every United supporters’ inbox had been flooded with since last afternoon – that’s the kind of an impact Sir Alex Ferguson has had on a fan’s life. It’s like a child has lost his father, a student his teacher and a kingdom its undisputed king.

It’s been more than a day that the terrible news had been out, but the feeling just refuses to sink in. The mind is still blank, the mouth still speechless and hands and toes still numb. The euphoria of winning the unprecedented 20th league title suddenly looks like a distant memory.

Not that we didn’t expect it. We always knew it had to happen some day. It had always been one of our worst nightmares, Sir Alex stepping down at United. But it’s the sudden shock of the news felt just like a bombshell that has clearly left all United fans shattered. For a moment, all of us look lost, like shipwreck survivors with no shore in sight.

The mere thought of the absence of that calming influence, the clenching fists, the raising of the hands in joy, the quick look at the wrist watch and the hands punching the air in exultation sends shivers down our spine. Like a body without soul, life after Sir Alex Ferguson is simply unimaginable.

No matter how much we deny it, this is not a dream. Sir Alex Ferguson has retired as the manager of Manchester United football club. Period!

Now, the problem is not his replacement – there is none. But it’s how we, the fans, move on from this. It’s Sir Alex who taught us football. It’s him who we have always seen at the touchlines since the first time we kissed that famous United crest. It’s him who we have looked up to whenever in doubt. He taught us how to rise like a phoenix from the flames, taught us how to accept a new challenge, taught us how to believe in ourselves. It’s his personality, his aura, his charm, his indomitable spirit and his mentality that flows through that football club. How do we cope with this? How do Manchester United cope with this?

We might have a look at our history and make ourselves believe that we have moved on from various other disasters, and that we might move on from this too. But deep down all of us know that it is the end of an era. An era that might never be eclipsed again. A feat that might never be achieved again. A club that might never be the same again. A manager that might never be born again.

Sir Alex in his retirement statement said, ‘It’s the right time’. He’s probably right. At 71, most of us might even struggle to walk properly, while Sir Alex has been carrying the expectations of 659 million supporters worldwide. He is the sole reason why each of us had brimmed in confidence amongst obstacles, fought with our fears, overcame challenges, shed tears of joy and relaxed even on a roller coaster ride. He has motivated and inspired all of us not only on the field, but off it as well. We are all indebted to him forever.

After spending more than a quarter of a century at the helm of the biggest football club in the world, if there is one man who deserves some rest and a grand send-off, it is Sir Alex Ferguson. It would be quite selfish on our part not to allow him to leave this time. We all know that he is leaving a family, a dynasty, an institution behind, and it will be all the more difficult for him to move away from this.

Therefore, no matter how heavy we feel in our heart, we aren’t going to make it more difficult for him. When he steps out at Old Trafford on 12th May 2013 for his final home game, we promise to bid him farewell in a way which he richly and truly deserves – with a standing ovation, strong smiles, bucketloads of respect, a bow of gratitude and a Champions thumbs up!

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