Wigans defence in bits, awful stuff. Swansea 3-2 up in the 75th minute.

woah I come back in and not only has there been a flood of goals, but +9 injury time?! Who got squashed?

I only caught someone getting dragged off, I think it was a Wigan player.

 

But phew, a handful of teams enjoy that result, works not over yet though.

Away to arsenal next whom need to win to strengthen their hopes for champions league.

 

Wigan play decent football, would be a shame for them to go down, over Sunderland

Sir Alex Ferguson to retire from Manchester United

 

 

Sir Alex Ferguson to retire from Manchester United

 

Sir Alex Ferguson will step down as Manchester United manager at the end of the season after 26 years in charge. The Scot, 71, has won 38 trophies for the club and will now become a director and ambassador.

 

His haul includes 13 league titles, two Champions League crowns, five FA Cups and four League Cups. "The decision to retire is one that I have thought a great deal about. It is the right time," Ferguson said.

 

Jose Mourinho has been installed as favourite to take over from Ferguson by bookmakers, with Everton's David Moyes and Borussia Dortmund's Jurgen Klopp also in the running. Ferguson is confident his successor will take over a club in good health after winning their 20th top-flight title 17 days ago.

 

"It was important to me to leave an organisation in the strongest possible shape and I believe I have done so," he said. "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."

 

Ferguson praised the people he felt helped him build the club from a team that had not won a title for 26 years into one of the biggest in the world. "I must pay tribute to my family, their love and support has been essential," he added. "My wife Cathy has been the key figure throughout my career, providing a bedrock of both stability and encouragement. Words are not enough to express what this has meant to me. As for my players and staff, past and present, I would like to thank them all for a staggering level of professional conduct and dedication that has helped to deliver so many memorable triumphs. Without their contribution the history of this great club would not be as rich. In my early years, the backing of the board, and Sir Bobby Charlton in particular, gave me the confidence and time to build a football club, rather than just a football team. Over the past decade, the Glazer family have provided me with the platform to manage Manchester United to the best of my ability and I have been extremely fortunate to have worked with a talented and trustworthy Chief Executive in David Gill. I am truly grateful to all of them. To the fans, thank you. The support you have provided over the years has been truly humbling. It has been an honour and an enormous privilege to have had the opportunity to lead your club and I have treasured my time as manager of Manchester United."

 

Ferguson is the most successful manager in the history of the British game and famously won a treble in 1999. Co-chairman Joel Glazer highlighted Ferguson's desire to continue to produce winning teams throughout his time at United. He said: "Alex has proven time and time again what a fantastic manager he is, but he's also a wonderful person. His determination to succeed and dedication to the club have been truly remarkable. I will always cherish the wonderful memories he has given us, like that magical night in Moscow [when United won the Champions League]."

 

Fellow co-chairman Avie Glazer expressed how important the United board felt it was to ensure Ferguson continued working for the club despite his decision to step down as manager. "I am delighted to announce that Alex has agreed to stay with the club as a director," he said. "His contributions to Manchester United over the last 26 years have been extraordinary and, like all United fans, I want him to be a part of its future."

 

David Gill revealed Ferguson had been planning to make his succession easier by putting in place a young squad and a state-of-the-art training facility at Carrington. He said: "I've had the tremendous pleasure of working very closely with Alex for 16 unforgettable years - through the treble, the double, countless trophy wins and numerous signings.

 

"We knew that his retirement would come one day and we both have been planning for it by ensuring the quality of the squad and club structures are in first-class condition. Alex's vision, energy and ability have built teams - both on and off the pitch - that his successor can count on as among the best and most loyal in world sport. The way he cares for this club, his staff and for the football family in general is something that I admire. It is a side to him that is often hidden from public view but it is something that I have been privileged to witness in the last 16 years. What he has done for this club and for the game in general will never be forgotten. It has been the greatest experience of my working life being alongside Alex and a great honour to be able to call him a friend."

 

Current Blackpool manager Paul Ince won two league titles, two FA Cups, a European Cup Winners' Cup medal and a League Cup during his time playing for Ferguson at United. He told Sky Sports News: "I'm totally shocked. What he's done is unbelievable. You'll never see anyone of his kind again. Two weeks ago he was talking about staying on for another two years, so it's a massive, massive shock. The way he treated me was like a son."

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22447018

Oh God I can't believe it

 

Goodbye GODFATHER

Where's the City fan?

 

Now is his time to post (and then our time, as always, to respond by telling him he's a shit fan who glory supports and should support a local team, especially given he appears to know very little about the sport).

It's Moyes :Manchester United to name Sir Alex successor

 

 

Goal.com understands that the recently-crowned Premier League champions are set to confirm the Everton boss as the new manager at Old Trafford by the end of the week

 

David Moyes is set to be appointed the new manager of Manchester United by the end of the week, Goal.com understands.

 

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2013/05/08/3963134/its-moyes-manchester-united-to-name-sir-alex-ferguson

 

-----

 

 

good choice

I wouldn't trust any press until it's unanimous.

 

Moyes would be their best bet though. Couldn't imagine Mourinho stopping there for longer than five years or so, possibly a lot less. Moyes would be a long term appointment.

Thatcher dead and Fergie retired. There must be a scouser somewhere with a lamp and one wish left :-)

 

 

respect to Sir alex ... take a bow

 

hes done a lot for football .........for manchester ...& much much more.

What has he done outside of football and Manchester?

I'm not saying he hasn't, just wondering what you mean.

too much to write ..(plus bad keyboard)

 

. the success speaks for it self , making manchester one of the true world capitals of world football.The premier leaugue would not be as succesful if it was not for Sir alex signing cantona, devleloping players like beckam.........

 

hes done charity work in his own time. Espically helping with homeless orgainisations in Manchester.

 

his above has helped with so many other things

making manchester one of the true world capitals of world football.

I don't agree with half the stuff you spout but amen to that.

I just don't trust Mancs who don't contribute to the music scene I guess. So bloody easy.

 

Joking. I like him.

I wouldn't trust any press until it's unanimous.

 

Moyes would be their best bet though. Couldn't imagine Mourinho stopping there for longer than five years or so, possibly a lot less. Moyes would be a long term appointment.

 

Will Moyes dedicate another large portion of his career to one job again though, after having done that with Everton? He's not exactly young.

 

If I was a United fan, I'd want Mourinho every time. It's been an era of what, twenty-five years? I'm an Arsenal fan, and when Wenger goes (hopefully sooner rather than later), I'm not sure I want another long-term manager. Maybe just someone to steady the ship in the right direction, a la Hiddink at Chelsea, until someone of equal quality to Wenger (Blanc, I've always wanted) is ready to take over for longer.

 

That's just me though.

I wouldn't be surprised if he stopped there for the last three years because he knew the United job was his when it came if he could maintain Everton's success. Given he's managed at Preston, Everton and now possibly United, it's not like he's often out the North West so I could see him staying there a long time.

 

United would be wise to see it as a long term thing. Next 3-5 years stabilising. If Ferguson is really the best around then they shouldn't expect anything but top 2/3 as whoever comes in will not be as good. That's not to say they should expect to relinquish the title, though, given the quality of the team. It would be understandable though given the spending power of City. He'll need time to bed in. Once he's there and has his feet under the carpet there's no reason why he can't keep United up there taking the title often though. Credit if he does do.

 

I don't see much merit in taking a stabilised club and purposefully seeking out the manager merry-go-round route. That kind of thing is forced on people.

Moyes was at Preston from 1993-2002 and then Everton from 2002-2013 (if he does move on). This will be his dream job. I don't think it will be a case of him not wanting to move on and dedicate the rest of his career to it as there's no bigger job for him (given i can't see him leaving Britain).

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRsqM6FYGNs]Pathetic! Daniele De Rossi's ridiculously awful dive v Chievo [AS Roma 0-1 Chievo] 07/05/2013 - YouTube[/ame]

I wouldn't be surprised if he stopped there for the last three years because he knew the United job was his when it came if he could maintain Everton's success. Given he's managed at Preston, Everton and now possibly United, it's not like he's often out the North West so I could see him staying there a long time.

 

United would be wise to see it as a long term thing. Next 3-5 years stabilising. If Ferguson is really the best around then they shouldn't expect anything but top 2/3 as whoever comes in will not be as good. That's not to say they should expect to relinquish the title, though, given the quality of the team. It would be understandable though given the spending power of City. He'll need time to bed in. Once he's there and has his feet under the carpet there's no reason why he can't keep United up there taking the title often though. Credit if he does do.

 

I don't see much merit in taking a stabilised club and purposefully seeking out the manager merry-go-round route. That kind of thing is forced on people.

 

I think he's definitely the favourite, and you're right, he's probably being eyeing up the job patiently for a while. But it'll be a transition season if they want someone else long-term and though his side can probably match City, the top five will all want to strengthen, as it's not been anyone's best season.

 

Whoever takes the job should get three years, and then be assessed at the end of that; take it step by step.

Pathetic! Daniele De Rossi's ridiculously awful dive v Chievo [AS Roma 0-1 Chievo] 07/05/2013 - YouTube[/url]

Hope to never see him play in the Premier League.

Or the Championship :(

Moyes better prepare himself for a world of pressure, although Fergie's undoubtedly a genius and wonderful motivator he's also corrupt as fuck and nuts, he'll have no problem stepping into Moyes office or even the dressing room with the players to set things straight if it isn't going completely perfectly.

 

I hate this appointment because I like Moyes and Everton, now I have to hate Moyes.

 

Pathetic! Daniele De Rossi's ridiculously awful dive v Chievo [AS Roma 0-1 Chievo] 07/05/2013 - YouTube[/url]

 

It confused me when I saw the title because Roma fans are pretty proud for De Rossi being their Roy Keane type, and he falls because the other player stands on his foot and leans his weight on it, it actually looks pretty painful.

 

Like really nobody would be stupid enough to make a dive that blatant 3 feet from the ref, it wouldn't make sense.

 

EDIT: From watching it again, on the slow-mo when, De Rossi's foot does come up incredibly quickly, I don't know if would have even had time to feel much pressure on it. If there was another angle that'd help.

 

Wayne Rooney asks to leave Manchester United again

 

Manchester United insist Wayne Rooney is not for sale after it emerged the striker asked to leave Old Trafford for the second time in three years.

 

The 27-year-old ex-Everton forward told United boss Sir Alex Ferguson two weeks ago he felt the time was right to move after nine years at the club.

 

A spokesman for United would only say: "Wayne Rooney is not for sale."

 

The news emerged on the day Ferguson announced he would be retiring as manager at the end of the season.

 

And Rooney is set to be re-united with his former Everton manager David Moyes, who could be announced as Ferguson's successor on Thursday.

 

Then aged 18, Rooney left Moyes and his hometown club Everton in August 2004 in a £27m deal. He has since scored 197 goals in 402 appearances for United, winning five league titles, two League Cups and a Champions League.

 

This season the England striker has scored 16 in 37 appearances, with 12 of those goals coming in the league as United won their 20th title.

 

However there has been speculation in the second half of the season that Rooney may leave, especially after he was dropped to the bench in favour of Danny Welbeck for the Champions League second-round tie against Real Madrid.

 

Days later Ferguson promised Rooney would stay at the club, saying: "He'll be here next year. You can have my word on that." Ferguson later said Rooney would be given a new deal.

 

But speculation has persisted and now it has emerged that the forward has asked to leave the club for a second time.

 

The first occasion came in October 2010 when Rooney pulled out of contract talks after saying he had not received "any of the assurances I was seeking about the future squad".

 

Ferguson said at the time he was "dumbfounded" by Rooney's desire to leave, but 48 hours later he signed a new five-year deal. Manchester United went on to win the title that season, and Rooney later said staying at the club was the best decision of his career.

 

Moyes and Rooney have had their own differences. In 2008, Moyes accepted substantial libel damages over claims made in Rooney's book about their relationship at Everton.

 

Since then, however, the pair have been reconciled. In September 2012, Rooney wrote on Twitter: "Everton are playing brilliantly. David Moyes has done some job over the last 10 years."

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22460580

Exciting times.

Rooney and Sr. Alex Ferguson are just scared to face Cardiff City next season ;)

 

And I'm getting really exited for the Dutch Cup final tonight!

It's AZ Alkmaar vs. PSV Eindhoven and I'm going to the game!

Let's go PSV

Enjoy. I'll be watching Leicester v Watford on telly.