Iconic Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will step down as club ambassador at the end of the season, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision has not been publicly announced.
Alex Ferguson will turn 83 in December and the person said the end of his ambassadorship was “amicably” and that it would be “Always welcome at Old Trafford”.
Ferguson has won 13 titles Premier League with United and is widely regarded as one of the best managers in football history. He is England’s most successful manager, with 28 major trophies.
Sir Alex has been the club’s ambassador since retiring after leading United to their last league title in 2013. His imminent departure comes at a time when the club is in flux since its partial takeover by the billionaire British Jim Ratcliffe in February.
United underwent an extensive restructuring program following Ratcliffe’s $1.3 billion investment for a 27.7% stake and implemented cost-cutting initiatives that, according to the club, include staff layoffs of approximately 250 positions.
United announced losses of $148 million in its latest accounts.
Ferguson was signed by United in 1986, at a time when the club had long lost its place as a pre-eminent force in English football.
He ended a 26-year wait for the championship title in 1993 and dominated the era of Premier League until his retirement, when United were crowned champions 11 points ahead of Manchester City.
He also won two Champions Leagues and an unprecedented treble in 1999 when leading United to victory in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
Since his retirement he has regularly attended United’s matches, both home and away, at a time when the club was experiencing a obvious declinet on the ground.
Ratcliffe took control of United’s football operations as part of his minority investment. The sporting part was previously under the control of the American Glazer family, the majority shareholder.
A new CEO, Omar Berradaand a new sports director, Dan Ashworthhave been put in place, while key figures from Ratcliffe-owned Ineos Sport, Dave Brailsford and Jean-Claude Blanc, have been appointed to the board.
Mr Ferguson remains a non-executive member of the board.
