One day in the future there will be somebody other than Sir Alex Ferguson commanding Manchester United from the Old Trafford dug out. Unthinkable as it sounds for many fans, who have grown up with only Fergie and Red Devils success, the 68-year-old can't go on forever.
Rest assured United fans, as Sir Alex shows no signs of slowing down and has said he will continue as long as his health allows. He was originally due to step down in 2002, with Sven-Goran Eriksson lined up to replace him, only to do a U-turn after being convinced by his wife Cathy to keep working.
Rest assured United fans, as Sir Alex shows no signs of slowing down and has said he will continue as long as his health allows. He was originally due to step down in 2002, with Sven-Goran Eriksson lined up to replace him, only to do a U-turn after being convinced by his wife Cathy to keep working.
Fergie was inspired by Sir Bobby Robson who didn't stop coaching until he was 71. Manchester United chief executive David Gill has said Ferguson will play a 'key role' in identifying his successor.
Who will that man be? Bookies have been taking bets on this market for almost a decade - and Goal.com rank the top 10 latest contenders to step into the Old Trafford hot seat.
Who will that man be? Bookies have been taking bets on this market for almost a decade - and Goal.com rank the top 10 latest contenders to step into the Old Trafford hot seat.
Jose MourinhoOdds: 3.75
Real Madrid's new coach has always maintained his desire to one day return to his favourite league, England's. The 'Special One' enjoys a good relationship with Ferguson and has the trophy winning nous to back it up. While many would wilt at the prospect of filling Sir Alex's shoes Mourinho would relish the task. Questions may be asked of his football style but you can't deny the man is a winner. Has a get-out clause in his contract with Los Blancos so he can walk for free at the end of each season during his four-year contract.
Why it will happen: Mourinho is the favourite and delivers success wherever he goes. Maintaining Ferguson's incredible record of delivering trophies will be United's main priority when naming his successor. At least it should be.
Why it won't happen: Sir Bobby Charlton will have a huge say along with Fergie in naming the new manager and isn't a fan of Mourinho's football style. The Portuguese tactician is unlikely to be a long-term bet either as he tends to deliver success and then make tracks.
David MoyesOdds: 6.50
Cut from the same cloth as Sir Alex, he has done a stellar job at Everton, turning them from relegation candidates to challengers for a Champions League spot each season. Moyes nearly became Fergie's assistant over a decade ago before the club opted for Steve McClaren. Enjoys a great reputation for his work on Merseyside and is understood to be Ferguson's preferred choice to succeed him.
Why it will happen: If Fergie wants his compatriot to get the gig, as has been suggested, United will surely listen to the great man.
Why it won't happen: Lack of true front line managerial experience and has a patchy record in Europe. How would he feel about linking up again with Wayne Rooney, whom he took to court for libel? And how would Rooney feel about that?
Martin O'Neill Odds: 7.50
Has been frequently linked with United over the years after working wonders at Wycombe Wanderers, Leicester City and Celtic before moving to Aston Villa. Tends to improve every team he has gone to which is simply not going to happen at Manchester United after more than 20 years with the same manager. A strong man-manager who usually gets the best out of his players, although his star has waned slightly at Villa Park.
Why it will happen: O'Neill is a no-nonsense individual who would jump at the chance to manage the Red Devils. Remains upset at being passed over for the England job in favour of Steve McClaren and has a point to prove at the highest level.
Why it won't happen: Villa fans will tell you they are unhappy at O'Neill's reluctance to spend Randy Lerner's money on some big names. Has yet to break the Villans into the elusive top four after threatening to do so in recent seasons.
Steve Bruce
Odds: 17.0
Many of Ferguson's first great side of 1993-94 have gone into management with varying degrees of success. Changed clubs quicker than Tiger Woods early in his managerial career before carving a solid reputation at Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic and now Sunderland. Wore the captain's armband during United's early period of dominance and famously scored two late goals against Sheffield Wednesday in 1992/93 helping the Red Devils to their first league title in 26 years.
Why it will happen: Like O'Neill he has generally done a better job at his new club than the man he's replaced. A manager on the rise but the move back to Old Trafford would be a massive step.
Why it won't happen: A nice story but unlikely to come true. Bruce is a long shot and he knows it so he'll need to create some miracles with Sunderland to replace his mentor Sir Alex.
Odds: 17.0
Many of Ferguson's first great side of 1993-94 have gone into management with varying degrees of success. Changed clubs quicker than Tiger Woods early in his managerial career before carving a solid reputation at Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic and now Sunderland. Wore the captain's armband during United's early period of dominance and famously scored two late goals against Sheffield Wednesday in 1992/93 helping the Red Devils to their first league title in 26 years.
Why it will happen: Like O'Neill he has generally done a better job at his new club than the man he's replaced. A manager on the rise but the move back to Old Trafford would be a massive step.
Why it won't happen: A nice story but unlikely to come true. Bruce is a long shot and he knows it so he'll need to create some miracles with Sunderland to replace his mentor Sir Alex.
Laurent Blanc
Odds: 17.0
Adored by Ferguson, who chased Le President for years, the Frenchman wound down his playing career in the Premier League where he was christened Larry White by the United supporters. Did a superb job with Bordeaux, winning the double in 2008-09 playing attractive football, before departing to take the French national job after a disappointing last season with Les Girondins as they could only finish 6th in Ligue 1 and were eliminated by Lyon in the Champions League. Has a major job on his hands with Les Bleus.
Why it will happen: Ferguson remains a fan and Blanc certainly plays the type of football Old Trafford expects.
Why it won't happen: Managing his country is the ultimate honour for the patriotic Blanc so it's hard to see him jumping ship and crossing the channel, even for Manchester United.
Odds: 17.0
Adored by Ferguson, who chased Le President for years, the Frenchman wound down his playing career in the Premier League where he was christened Larry White by the United supporters. Did a superb job with Bordeaux, winning the double in 2008-09 playing attractive football, before departing to take the French national job after a disappointing last season with Les Girondins as they could only finish 6th in Ligue 1 and were eliminated by Lyon in the Champions League. Has a major job on his hands with Les Bleus.
Why it will happen: Ferguson remains a fan and Blanc certainly plays the type of football Old Trafford expects.
Why it won't happen: Managing his country is the ultimate honour for the patriotic Blanc so it's hard to see him jumping ship and crossing the channel, even for Manchester United.
Eric Cantona
Odds: 17.0
Always crops up in discussions and would definitely be a hit with the fans despite his lack of managerial experience. Cantona has hinted he would be interested in the job if it came along and would definitely guarantee entertainment on and off the pitch.
Why it will happen: Dreams sometimes come true just like seagulls following trawlers...
Why it won't happen: Likely to remain a tabloid pipe dream. Cantona has zero managerial experience, unless you count beach football, and would be risking his reputation with the United fans if he wasn't a success.
Odds: 17.0
Always crops up in discussions and would definitely be a hit with the fans despite his lack of managerial experience. Cantona has hinted he would be interested in the job if it came along and would definitely guarantee entertainment on and off the pitch.
Why it will happen: Dreams sometimes come true just like seagulls following trawlers...
Why it won't happen: Likely to remain a tabloid pipe dream. Cantona has zero managerial experience, unless you count beach football, and would be risking his reputation with the United fans if he wasn't a success.
Fabio Capello
Odds: 19.0
Don Fabio has won titles wherever he has gone and was considered for the post when Ferguson was originally meant to step aside in 2002. England's debacle in the World Cup proved that Capello's strength is in club football and the Italian understands the pressure of managing big teams in Europe.
Why it will happen: Delivers trophies if not necessarily style and is firmly ensconced in England should Old Trafford come calling.
Why it won't happen: Too old. At 64 Capello is just four years younger than Ferguson and has said England will be his last job.
Odds: 19.0
Don Fabio has won titles wherever he has gone and was considered for the post when Ferguson was originally meant to step aside in 2002. England's debacle in the World Cup proved that Capello's strength is in club football and the Italian understands the pressure of managing big teams in Europe.
Why it will happen: Delivers trophies if not necessarily style and is firmly ensconced in England should Old Trafford come calling.
Why it won't happen: Too old. At 64 Capello is just four years younger than Ferguson and has said England will be his last job.
Carlos Queiroz
Odds: 21.0
Worked as Ferguson's assistant in two previous stints and still has the Scotsman's ear. Rated as one of the best coaches in Europe, the jury remains out on his abilities as a number one after failing to impress with Real Madrid in his solitary season in charge. Currently in charge of Portugal and continues to be linked with vacancies in the Premier League.
Why it will happen: Familiar with the club and knows how it operates. Ferguson rates Queiroz highly but whether he thinks he's up to the job of replacing him is another story.
Why it won't happen: A poor campaign with Real Madrid at 2003-04 when Los Blancos looked on course for the treble only to end up potless. Queiroz blames the board for not backing him; they unsurprisingly say it was his fault. That won't cut it at Manchester United.
Odds: 21.0
Worked as Ferguson's assistant in two previous stints and still has the Scotsman's ear. Rated as one of the best coaches in Europe, the jury remains out on his abilities as a number one after failing to impress with Real Madrid in his solitary season in charge. Currently in charge of Portugal and continues to be linked with vacancies in the Premier League.
Why it will happen: Familiar with the club and knows how it operates. Ferguson rates Queiroz highly but whether he thinks he's up to the job of replacing him is another story.
Why it won't happen: A poor campaign with Real Madrid at 2003-04 when Los Blancos looked on course for the treble only to end up potless. Queiroz blames the board for not backing him; they unsurprisingly say it was his fault. That won't cut it at Manchester United.
Pep Guardiola
Odds: 21.0
Won everything in sight with Barcelona in an astonishing debut season in 2008/09 and followed up with another league title last time out. Guardiola's delay to sign a new contract until recently with the Blaugrana alerted United who are understood to be keen on the young manager who has yet to turn 40. His football philosophy is in tune with the Manchester United DNA as they discovered to their cost in the 2009 Champions League final.
Why it will happen: Only under contract at the Camp Nou until 2011 when Sir Alex may just may be prepared to walk away into the sunset. Speaks good English and United fans would hope he'd bring Leo Messi with him!
Why it won't happen: Why on earth would Barcelona let a young Catalan manager who has won everything go?
Odds: 21.0
Won everything in sight with Barcelona in an astonishing debut season in 2008/09 and followed up with another league title last time out. Guardiola's delay to sign a new contract until recently with the Blaugrana alerted United who are understood to be keen on the young manager who has yet to turn 40. His football philosophy is in tune with the Manchester United DNA as they discovered to their cost in the 2009 Champions League final.
Why it will happen: Only under contract at the Camp Nou until 2011 when Sir Alex may just may be prepared to walk away into the sunset. Speaks good English and United fans would hope he'd bring Leo Messi with him!
Why it won't happen: Why on earth would Barcelona let a young Catalan manager who has won everything go?
Guus Hiddink
Odds: 26.0
Dutch master remains one of Europe's most sought-after coaches despite inking a deal to coach Turkey for the next two years. Linked with any half decent job which crops up, Hiddink did a good job when he was parachuted in to rescue Chelsea's season in 2008-09. At 63 his stock is high and may fancy one last crack at club management if he's given the nod.
Why it will happen: Proved at Chelsea he's a safe pair of hands. Experienced and would command the respect of his players. A decent outside bet.
Why it won't happen: Time isn't on his side as he's just five years younger than Ferguson. It's likely United will opt for a younger candidate.
Odds: 26.0
Dutch master remains one of Europe's most sought-after coaches despite inking a deal to coach Turkey for the next two years. Linked with any half decent job which crops up, Hiddink did a good job when he was parachuted in to rescue Chelsea's season in 2008-09. At 63 his stock is high and may fancy one last crack at club management if he's given the nod.
Why it will happen: Proved at Chelsea he's a safe pair of hands. Experienced and would command the respect of his players. A decent outside bet.
Why it won't happen: Time isn't on his side as he's just five years younger than Ferguson. It's likely United will opt for a younger candidate.
Selected Others
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 26.0
Gary Neville 26.0
Roy Keane 34.0
Mark Hughes 34.0
Ryan Giggs 34.0
Martin Jol 34.0
Steve McClaren 34.0
Gordon Strachan 41.0
Roy Hodgson 41.0
Louis Van Gaal 67.0
Arsene Wenger 67.0
Marcello Lippi 81.0
Harry Redknapp 81.0
Sven Goran Eriksson 101.0
Luis Felipe Scolari 151.0
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