Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will retire at the end of the season. “It is the right time,” the Scot said. The decision marks the end of an era in British soccer. No other manager has been as successful, Ferguson having won a total of 49 trophies, beginning with his time at St. Mirren and then Aberdeen in the old Scottish First Division. Coming to Manchester United in November 1986, he stated that his aim was to “knock Liverpool off their perch.” His retirement comes two and a half weeks after Manchester United sealed their 20th domestic league title, his 13th Premier League trophy with the club. His other trophies include three UEFA Cup Winner’s Cups, five FA Cups, two Champions League trophies, in addition to other league and intercontinental honours.

The 71-year-old has always stated that his health will determine when he retires. The club announced last weekend that he is scheduled to undergo hip-replacement surgery this summer.

“The decision to retire is one that I have thought a great deal about and one that I have not taken lightly. . . . It was important to me to leave an organisation in the strongest possible shape and I believe I have done so. The quality of this league winning squad, and the balance of ages within it, bodes well for continued success at the highest level whilst the structure of the youth set-up will ensure that the long-term future of the club remains a bright one.”

He will remain at Manchester United, taking on a director’s role and be a club amabassador, and will certainly have a say in who his successor will be. His advice for the next manager will be appreciated, as he has said that Man U’s previous legendary manager, Sir Matt Busby, was invaluable to him. A few names being thrown around are Everton’s David Moyes, Real Madrid’s Jose Mourinho, Borsussia Dortmund’s Jurgen Klopp, and Malaga’s Manuel Pellegrini.