One more season then I'm off, Ferguson says

LONDON, May 19 (Reuters)(DS) -- Alex Ferguson said he would
still be Manchester United's manager next season but insisted
there was no chance of his staying longer at the club in any
capacity.
Ferguson was speaking after the champions' 3-1 defeat at
Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday in their last league game of the
season, a day after he announced his intention to walk away from
Old Trafford when he steps down as manager in a year.
The man who has led United to seven premier league titles in
nine years had hoped to stay at the club, possibly as a
director, but discussions with officials broke down this week
leading to speculation that he could walk out now.
The 59-year-old Ferguson, though, said he still expected to
be in charge of the team next season.
"My intention is to be here next year and I'm looking
forward to it. This is a great bunch of players who've shown
over the years they have a certain character and team spirit
that is special, and I look forward to working with them next
year.
"I had hoped there would be another role, but that's gone
now. We've exhausted that.
"It's not a shock -- I half expected it and was not really
holding out too much hope -- it's a disappointment but these
things happen in football and I'm not the only manager who has
suffered that. You just have to get over it.
"My son (Jason) had been talking to (chief executive) Peter
Kenyon for some time, but I've closed the door on that now and
it's important for me to finish this business - there's no
mileage in it for me.
"I hope it does not destroy the wonderful time I've had.
"It's important to me that I complete my final year and go
out with my head held high knowing I've enjoyed the 16 years I
will have completed at the club.
"I've turned down a few opportunities to do something
thinking I would be at United but I want to be active and that's
why I wanted to make the point that I will be working somewhere
next year."

MANAGEMENT RETURN
Ferguson said he had not ruled out a return to management
with another club.
"Once you retire you can't just sit back and do nothing. But
I've not really thought about it, I don't know what I will do.
The opportunity may present itself in a hundred different ways,
I might go away and paint or something, there are a lot of
things I could do."
Ferguson was also asked about his assistant Steve McClaren,
who has been linked with the vacant manager's jobs at West Ham
United and Southampton.
"Steve's had a lot of offers that I am sure he is going to
consider but he has not spoken to anyone yet," he said.
"I'm not surprised. He's an outstanding man, honest,
straight as a die, greatly respected by the players.
"But I can't make up his mind for him - he's his own man."


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