Sir Alex Ferguson retired from Manchester United in 2013 to prioritize spending time with his wife Cathy, following the passing of her sister.
After 27 years of managing at Old Trafford, Ferguson won numerous trophies including 13 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues.
This retirement came after a previous announcement that he would leave, showing that Ferguson ultimately decided to step down to focus on his personal life.
While it was assumed he was leaving football because he was 71, Alex Ferguson said on McCoist’s podcast, Ally’s Social Club: “Cathy’s sister had died in the previous October and she was lost.
“She was definitely lost so at Christmas I said to her ‘Look, I’m going to retire at the end of the season’.
“I knew by her reaction that she was delighted because she was on her own. She had given her life to me, everything to me.
“[She was] looking after me because of my job… bringing the kids up. When I said I was going to retire, she was delighted and I knew that. I could tell by her body language.”
