DaBears - Chicago Bears Message Board and Fan Blog Site - All Other Sports http://www.dabears.com/ Discuss other sports related items in this section! en Sun, 19 May 2013 01:23:39 GMT vBulletin 60 http://dabears.com/images/misc/rss.png DaBears - Chicago Bears Message Board and Fan Blog Site - All Other Sports http://www.dabears.com/ Sir Alex Ferguson to retire as Manchester United manager all_other_sports/47498-sir_alex_ferguson_retire_manchester_united_manager.html Thu, 09 May 2013 14:19:25 GMT *Sir Alex Ferguson to retire as Manchester United manager* ... Sir Alex Ferguson to retire as Manchester United manager


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 during his reign at Old Trafford and will now become a director and ambassador for the club.
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.
Analysis

Phil McNulty Chief football writer
"Everton have yet to receive a formal approach from Manchester United for David Moyes - but all signs now point to the Scot being swiftly appointed as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor.
"The choice will raise eyebrows in some quarters because the Scot has no serious European pedigree or trophies during his 11 years at Goodison Park but it is clear his stability, ability to build teams and willingness to give youth its chance appeals to the Old Trafford hierarchy.
"And his long-standing friendship with Ferguson will help ease potential tensions between the new manager's office and the boardroom. There is mutual trust and admiration between the pair."


Everton's David Moyes is the bookmakers' favourite to take over, with Jose Mourinho, currently at Real Madrid, also tipped.
BBC sports editor David Bond says United are confident of announcing a successor to Ferguson before the weekend.
He believes they are looking for someone who understands the club's history and is committed to youth development while employing an attractive, attacking style of football.
While United look for his successor, tributes to Ferguson have been led by Prime Minister David Cameron, who tweeted: "Sir Alex Ferguson's achievement at #MUFC has been exceptional."
Former Manchester United and England striker Michael Owen says the Scot's managerial record will "surely never be eclipsed".

  • Ferguson believes the squad he leaves behind "bodes well for continued success".
  • His final game will be against West Brom and will be his 1500th in charge at United.
  • United co-chairman Joel Glazer says: "His determination to succeed and dedication to the club have been truly remarkable."
  • Chief executive David Gill says: "What he has done for this club and for the game in general will never be forgotten."

Ferguson, who will undergo hip surgery in the summer, 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's Man Utd trophies


Premier League: 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013.
FA Cup: 1990, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004
League Cup: 1992, 2006, 2009, 2010
Champions League: 1999, 2008
Cup Winners Cup: 1991
Fifa Club World Cup: 2008
Uefa Super Cup: 1992
Inter-Continental Cup: 1999
FA Charity/Community Shield: 1990 (shared), 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011


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 the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in 1999.
Co-chairman Joel Glazer highlighted Ferguson's desire to produce winning teams throughout his time at United and called the 2008 Champions League victory over Chelsea in Moscow a "magical night".
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."
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."
Gill, who is also stepping down this summer after 16 years at United, 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."
Ferguson began his playing career at Queen's Park as a 16-year-old striker whilst working as an apprentice tool-worker at Clyde Shipyards.
Ferguson in numbers

1: Knighthood from the Queen in June 1999
2: Champions League titles against Bayern Munich in 1999 and Chelsea in 2008
5: Teams managed by Ferguson - East Stirling 1974, St Mirren 1975-78, Aberdeen 1978-1986, Scotland 1985-86, Man Utd 1986-2013
6: Clubs as a player - Queen's Park, St Johnstone, Dunfermline, Rangers, Falkirk, Ayr
9: Scottish and English FA Cup titles
17: Games missed due to touchline bans.
26: Years since United had won the title before Ferguson's triumph in 1993
38: Trophies won at Old Trafford
49: Trophies won as a manager with Manchester United, Aberdeen and St Mirren.
104: Players bought while at Manchester United. The last was Wilfried Zaha, signed from Crystal Palace for fee rising to £15m in January and loaned back to Palace.
170: Goals scored during his playing career
370: Appearances as a player
1498: Games at Manchester United, with 894 wins, 337 draws and 267 defeats


His most notable spell as a player came in a two-year stint at Glasgow Rangers from 1967. He retired as a player in 1974 when he was on Ayr United's books.
He began his managerial career as a 32-year-old at East Stirlingshire before moving to St Mirren, where he won his first trophy by taking the Scottish first division title in 1977.
Ferguson's talent at building winning teams became apparent after he took over at unfashionable Aberdeen and turned them into a major force in a league where Rangers and Celtic had dominated.
His crowning moment was winning the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1983 by beating Real Madrid 2-1 in the final
He also won three Scottish titles, four Scottish FA Cups and one League Cup during his time at Pittodrie and that success saw him land the United job, taking over from Ron Atkinson on 6 November 1986.

Ferguson had managed Scotland in the World Cup in Mexico earlier that year following the death of Jock Stein although he was unable to take his country past the group stages.
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 man was immense and he got the best out of me that's for sure. The way he treated me was like a son."
Ferguson told his players he was stepping down before training today as they prepare for Sunday's match against Swansea. It will be the Scot's final home game as manager of the Premier League champions.
First-team coach Rene Meulensteen said: "He told us just this morning. He called us in his office and told us the decision he had taken. I think he is feeling a sense of relief in some ways now."
Owen feels taking over from Ferguson is going to be a difficult job.
He tweeted: "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."

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I hate, love and respect this bastard, equally, at the same time...I feel sorry for anyone that steps into those shoes.... ]]> All Other Sports Wolfman http://dabears.com/showthread.php?t=47498 Rampant Bayern ease into final all_other_sports/47406-rampant_bayern_ease_into_final.html Thu, 02 May 2013 10:43:44 GMT ---Quote--- Bayern Munich pulled off a stunning 3-0 victory over Barcelona at the Nou Camp to complete a record Champions League semi-final...
Quote:
Bayern Munich pulled off a stunning 3-0 victory over Barcelona at the Nou Camp to complete a record Champions League semi-final aggregate win.
Arjen Robben opened the scoring shortly after half-time when he cut in from the right and found the top corner.
Gerard Pique turned Franck Ribery's cross into his own net before Thomas Mueller headed in at the far post to complete the 7-0 aggregate rout.
Barca's biggest loss

Barcelona's previous highest defeats in European competition were all by a four-goal margin. They lost 4-0 against AC Milan in the 1994 European Cup final, by a four-goal aggregate margin against Valencia in the Uefa Cup in 1962 and the same against Real Madrid in the European Cup two years earlier.

Bayern now meet fellow German side Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on 25 May.
Jupp Heynckes' side were beaten by Chelsea in last season's Champions League final but, on the evidence of their two performances against the Catalan giants, it will take an almighty effort from Dortmund to prevent them winning their fifth European Cup.
Barcelona, who left injured talismanic playmaker Lionel Messi on the bench, were once again outplayed by the brilliant Bavarians.
And if Bayern's first-leg demolition shook Europe, their second-leg dominance should ensure even bigger reverberations - such was the magnitude of their dominance in the Nou Camp.
From Mario Mandzukic's selfless work as the lone striker, to the slick pass-and-move skills of those behind him, the visitors outplayed Tito Vilanova's side.
Their ruthlessly efficient counter-attacks always carried a goal threat, to the extent that Barcelona were reluctant to commit enough men forward to seriously test the stout Bayern defence.
Perhaps lifted by the absence of Messi, who is still struggling with a hamstring injury, Bayern started brightly and Pique had to be alert to deny both Robben and Philipp Lahm.
Despite the onus being on them to score, Barca were not able to test Manuel Neuer until the 23rd minute, the Germany goalkeeper tipping Pedro's 25-yard shot over the bar.
Brilliant Bayern

Bayern equalled the biggest away win in a CL semi-final, set by themselves in April 2010 (3-0 at Olympique Lyon) and by Ajax in April 1996 (3-0 at Panathinaikos)
For the first time since 2001 (Bayern) a German team will win the Champions League
Bayern have kept a clean sheet in four consecutive CL knockout matches, a club record. The last club to keep at least four clean sheets was Manchester United in 2008 with five.
Source: Infostrada

Content to let the Spanish side pass the ball in their own half, Munich sat back and pounced on loose passes to mount dangerous counter-attacks on the beleaguered Barca backline.
Xavi fired over for the hosts while, at the other end, Robben had a shot charged down.
Something had to give, and it was Barcelona's slim chances when, three minutes into the second half, David Alaba switched play to Robben, who expertly cut inside and curled a left-footed shot into the top corner.
Not content with their commanding advantage, Bayern continued to counter and Pique summed up Barcelona's evening when he failed to deal with Ribery's cross from the left and shinned the ball past his own keeper Victor Valdes.
The record aggregate victory was completed when Mueller rose highest at the far post to head home another super Ribery cross.
Bayern's victory eclipses Manchester United's 6-1 aggregate rout of Schalke in 2011, and, while Sir Alex Ferguson's side lost to Barcelona in the final that year, it is difficult to see a similar fate befalling this mighty Munich side.

BBC Sport - Barcelona 0-3 Bayern Munich (Agg: 0-7)
I simply couldn't ask for a better Champions League final! Bayern vs Dortmund hell yea! ]]> All Other Sports ZifanQ http://dabears.com/showthread.php?t=47406