* Legendary Scot to step down at end of the season* Club announces 71-year-old will take up ambassadorial role* Ferguson statement reads: ‘It was important to me to leave an organisation in the strongest possible shape and I believe I have done so’* Search begins to appoint successor as Mourinho talks with Chelsea stall* Manager leaves after winning 13 league titles, two European Cups, five FA Cups and a European Cup-winners’ Cup

Sir Alex Ferguson has announced he will retire as Manchester United manager after 27 years at the club, moving upstairs to be a member of the board. It is a day that will redefine the landscape of British football. 

A United statement reads: "The most successful manager in English football history will bow out after the West Bromwich Albion game on 19 May and join the football club board.”

Announcing the news, he said: "The decision to retire is one that I have thought a great deal about and one that I have not taken lightly. It is the right time.

"It was important to me to leave an organisation in the strongest possible shape and I believe I have done so. The quality of this league winning squad, and the balance of ages within it, bodes well for continued success at the highest level whilst the structure of the youth set-up will ensure that the long-term future of the club remains a bright one.

"Our training facilities are amongst the finest in global sport and our home Old Trafford is rightfully regarded as one of the leading venues in the world.

"Going forward, I am delighted to take on the roles of both Director and Ambassador for the club. With these activities, along with my many other interests, I am looking forward to the future.

"I must pay tribute to my family, their love and support has been essential. My wife Cathy has been the key figure throughout my career, providing a bedrock of both stability and encouragement. Words are not enough to express what this has meant to me.”

"As for my players and staff, past and present, I would like to thank them all for a staggering level of professional conduct and dedication that has helped to deliver so many memorable triumphs. Without their contribution the history of this great club would not be as rich.”

"In my early years, the backing of the board, and Sir Bobby Charlton in particular, gave me the confidence and time to build a football club, rather than just a football team.”

"Over the past decade, the Glazer family have provided me with the platform to manage Manchester United to the best of my ability and I have been extremely fortunate to have worked with a talented and trustworthy Chief Executive in David Gill. I am truly grateful to all of them.”

"To the fans, thank you. The support you have provided over the years has been truly humbling. It has been an honour and an enormous privilege to have had the opportunity to lead your club and I have treasured my time as manager of Manchester United.”

The 71-year-old moved to Old Trafford in 1986 and re-built United’s empire in spectacular fashion - winning an astonishing 49 trophies in all.

But, after infamously ‘quitting’ 12 years ago, he has decided to retire once and for all at the end of this season. He leaves having won his 13th Premier League trophy - and reclaiming the title from the ‘noisy neighbours’ Manchester City.

United’s final match of the season, at West Bromwich Albion on May 19, will be the 1,500th of Ferguson’s tenure as manager.

Having always cited his health as the primary factor in any decision to retire, the club’s confirmation last Friday evening that Ferguson, who had a heart pacemaker fitted in 2004, would undergo hip surgery in August raised fresh doubt over his determination to continue in the post.

As details of the proposed announcement today dripped through late last night, officials at Old Trafford were not even taking calls from journalists amid the frenzy of speculation.

Ferguson then arrived for work as usual on Wednesday morning as he was seen driving into United’s Carrington training base at 6.50am. 

Yesterday’s announcement is seemingly at odds with Ferguson’s programme notes last weekend, when he wrote: ‘I don’t have any plans at the moment to walk away from what I believe will be something special and worth being around to see.

"It’s always difficult in football to be absolutely sure of the future because the game has a habit of tripping you up, but I don’t live in a fantasy world and believe we have every reason to feel confident about the future of Manchester United. 

"My view stems not from the euphoria of winning back the title we lost last season, but on the way we did it and the make-up of our playing personnel.”

In the statement published on the club’s website this morning outgoing chief executive David Gill, added: ‘I’ve had the tremendous pleasure of working very closely with Alex for 16 unforgettable years – through the Treble, the double, countless trophy wins and numerous signings.

"We knew that his retirement would come one day and we both have been planning for it by ensuring the quality of the squad and club structures are in first class condition.”

"Alex’s vision, energy and ability have built teams – both on and off the pitch – that his successor can count on as among the best and most loyal in world sport.

"The way he cares for this club, his staff and for the football family in general is something that I admire. It is a side to him that is often hidden from public view but it is something that I have been privileged to witness in the last 16 years.

"What he has done for this club and for the game in general will never be forgotten. It has been the greatest experience of my working life being alongside Alex and a great honour to be able to call him a friend.”

David Moyes has emerged as his replacement and will be announced to take over from Ferguson today evening. Scot Moyes is out of contract at long-term employers Everton in the summer.

The Portuguese had been thought to be set to return to former club Chelsea, but Ferguson vacating the Old Trafford hotseat now throws that anticipated move into doubt.

Agencies