Premier League - Ferguson 'on brink of retirement'

Sir Alex Ferguson is considering quitting as manager of Manchester United, according to the newspapers.

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  Eurosport - Alex Ferguson papers 8 May 2013

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A number of Wednesday's national newspapers, led by the Telegraph, claim the 71-year-old is ready to stand down, bringing an end to his hugely successful 26 and a half years at the helm.

"Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United future was shrouded in doubt on Tuesday night with the Scot understood to be giving serious consideration to ending his 26-year reign as manager," the Telegraph's report claims.

"Senior figures at the club failed to respond to repeated attempts to confirm or deny the story, which emerged following United’s player versus coaches golf day at Dunham Massey on Tuesday afternoon."

Golf day? What's all this? Well, the paper claims that several "sources close to the players" confirmed that the annual golf match "was overshadowed by suggestions that the Scot would be making an announcement ahead of Sunday’s clash with Swansea."

The paper points out that if there is anything in the rumour, the club are legally obliged to sayso since they are a listed company:

"With United now forced to adhere to the strict rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange in terms of the release of significant information relating to the running of the club following last August’s partial flotation, any change of management would fall within those requirements," the paper continues.

United have been contacted by just about every sports media organisation on the planet, but they are yet to either confirm or deny the reports.

The Telegraph was the only paper to get the story in its first edition, but later editions of all the other papers carry the story - though the Mirror claims that the only thing behind it is talk of a new second-in-command at Old Trafford. But that's a bit of spoilsporting, frankly, so we're going to skim over it.

"Fergie in Utd quit frenzy," the Sun reports, claiming that bookies have slashed odds on Fergusonquitting to 7-4, with David Moyes the 11-10 favourite to take the reins at Old Trafford.

Moyes has long been rumoured to be leaving Everton, but there is another cog in the machine still ticking: The Times reports that Jose Mourinho's contract talks at Chelsea have stalled.

The sticking point is apparently the issue of a £17m pay-off due to Real Madrid. Mourinho's contract includes a 20 million euro buy-out on either side - the sum to be paid to Mourinho if he is fired, or by his new club if he is poached.

Real Madrid want to get rid of the Portuguese as he was to leave, and until recently it seemed that both parties would waive that clause to effect a quickie divorce. Now that Abramovich's billions are a factor, however, it seems Real want their money after all.

If Chelsea refuse to pay, would that clear the way for Mourinho to go to manage Manchester United? It would at least leave the door ajar.

Most of the reports add that any statement about Ferguson's future will be made on the New York Stock Exchange, which opens at 2.30pm BST. The world of football waits with bated breath.

The Daily Mirror reports that Alex Ferguson is not the only big name on his way out of Manchester United: Wayne Rooney is apparently dead set on moving to Bayern Munich this summer.

"Striker tells pals he will move with Guardiola" the story's sub-headline reads, further fuelling a long-running rumour that Guardiola is a huge fan of Rooney's.

And finally, The Mirror also reports that Luis Suarez could be off to Atletico Madrid this summer in a £40m deal.