Sir Alex Ferguson opens up on the match that made him miss management as former Man Utd boss 'returns to dugout' after 12-year absence
Sir Alex Ferguson is set to make a much-anticipated return to the dugout for Giuseppe Rossi's farewell match, after he previously discussed the match that made him miss management.
The former Manchester United manager, who won 13 league titles with the Premier League club before retiring in 2013, continues to make his mark on the game.
He memorably returned to the Old Trafford dugout in 2019, when a star-studded United side came up against Bayern Munich in a legends game to mark the 20-year anniversary of their treble win.
And now, it appears the 83-year-old will bark out orders again, according to former striker Giuseppe Rossi, who claims Ferguson will be present for his farewell match in Florence on March 22.
Advert
Giuseppe Rossi, who made his debut for United in a League Cup tie against Crystal Palace in November 2004 before playing a further 13 times, opened up on the conversation he had with the Scot.
"Ferguson will be there as a coach," he said, as per The Sun. "He was my first coach, I signed when I was 17. I only did three years with him and played little, but he immediately said yes and this shows what kind of person he is."
Rossi added: "I did little at United but he treats me like Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored 1000 goals."
Ferguson is set to take a coaching role at the Stadio Franchi Stadium, with Gabriel Batistuta, Luca Toni and former Real Madrid striker Antonio Cassano expected to appear in the line-ups.
The decision comes just four months after Ferguson revealed the match that made him miss management.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Sir Alex admitted that going to the Champions League final in 2014 – a game between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid – reminded him of his love for a big night in Europe.
"I've been retired 11 years now so you find a way of adjusting," he said. "I miss it sometimes. I think in my first year after I was retired I went to the European (Cup) final and I said to Cathy 'this is what I miss. Big games, the European games.'
"I go to most of the European finals because I find something that I can relate to and what I'd like to have done everyday. Because these are the big events that a club like United should always be involved in."
In total, Ferguson managed United in four Champions League finals, winning the trophy in 1999 and 2008. He was then beaten by Pep Guardiola's Barcelona in 2009 and 2011.
Topics: Sir Alex Ferguson, Premier League, Man Utd
Jack Kenmare