Ferguson close to sealing new deal

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson believes he is close to agreeing a new contract with the club.

The Scot shelved plans to retire last year, signing a new three-year deal and now the club are hopeful of tying him to a contract which would see him past the age of 65.

Ferguson’s decision to sue John Magnier, one of United’s shareholders, for alleged unpaid earnings from racehorse Rock of Gibraltar, appeared to have put a new deal in jeopardy but he was in confident mood today.

“We are not far away, are we?” Ferguson asked chief executive David Gill at a press conference to announce United’s new sponsorship deal with Vodafone.

Gill added: “Neither party has set a deadline date, that is something suggested by you gentlemen [the press]. We’re working on it and both parties want it to happen and it will happen. Discussions are progressing very satisfactorily.”

Ferguson had announced his intention to retire from management at the end of the 2001-02 season but in February 2002 he agreed a new contract after his wife suggested he carry on.

He said at the time: “It wasn’t my decision to stay, it was my wife’s, but I think it was what I wanted to hear when she said I should.

“When I think about it now I wonder what I would have done. I could travel and go throughout the world because you could afford to do it, but there are only so many times you can go to New York or any of these places.

“I have been excited about how we have progressed as a club since I decided not to retire.”