Sport

‘Thanks for everything, boss’: Cristiano Ronaldo leads Twitter tributes after Sir Alex Ferguson retires

By Alex Bysouth

Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed the match versus Swansea City will be his last as Manchester United boss at Old Trafford after an unparalleled 26-year reign.

Speculation of Ferguson’s pending retirement sent Twitter into overdrive last night, and following his announcement this morning, #thankyousiralex #oldtrafford # SAF and #fergieretires are all top trends.

MM takes a look at who has said what on the twittersphere.  

Most expensive player in the world and United legend, Cristiano Ronaldo thanks Ferguson:

“Thanks for everything, Boss.”

Fans’ favourite and talismanic goalscorer Ruud van Nistelrooy comments on his former boss:

“2001-2006, 219 games,150 goals under the most successful manager in football history. It was a unique privilege. #SAF”

Another former United forward and Ferguson signing Guiseppe Rossi:

“What a career! Proud and honored to have been coached by Sir Alex Ferguson. #thankyougaffer”

Tottenham Hotspur winger and long term United target Gareth Bale shows his appreciation:

“#thankyousiralex”

Even the Prime Minister is at it, David Cameron tweets:

“Sir Alex Ferguson’s achievement at #mufc has been exceptional. Hopefully his retirement will make life a little easier for my team #avfc”

Ex-Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips salutes the Red Devils boss:

“#salute to Sir Alex Ferguson definitely the greatest premier league manager the countries ever seen. Correction greatest football mgr ever.”

Michael Owen, scorer of a ‘Fergie Time’ winner against City, suggests Jose Mourinho or David Moyes could be in-line to take over:

“I was adamant he’d do another year or two. Delighted that he has gone on his terms. Lifting the Trophy next week will be the perfect ending.

“What an act to follow. I guess only Mourinho would have the confidence to strut through the door. If it were me, I’d go for Moyes.

“His record will surely never be eclipsed. Simply astonishing to read through his managerial record of achievements.”

And former Liverpool forward turned TalkSport host, Stan Collymore, is backing the ‘Special One’ as top choice:

“I commented I thought it would be Mourinho.If they want virtual guarantees,it should be. No quick fixes though apparently.Good luck!”

Spanish pundit Guillem Balague disagrees, however:

“I would love David Moyes to be the next manager of Manchester United”

And presenter Jake Humphrey jokes his side Norwich City fared better than most against the English giants:

“Of teams he faced more than 10 times, Alex Ferguson’s highest loss % as Man Utd manager was v Norwich City (35%) #thankyousiralex”

Image courtesy of SkySports, via YouTube, with thanks.

For more on this story and many others, follow Mancunian Matters on Twitter and Facebook.

Related Articles