Fergie going nowhere

Alex Ferguson has no intention of quitting the Old Trafford hotseat for at least a couple of years.

The Manchester United manager comes face to face with old rival Marcello Lippi on Tuesday as the ’Theatre of Dreams’ plays host to a star-studded UEFA charity match to commemorate the 50th anniversary of both the Red Devils’ entry into Europe and the Treaty of Rome – which established the European Economic Community.

With Lippi currently enjoying a year out of the limelight after guiding Italy to World Cup glory last summer, many pundits have predicted he will be the man who eventually replaces Ferguson.

However, even after spending over two decades in one of the most pressurised jobs in football, Ferguson has no intention of relinquishing his duties – no matter how much some of his arch-enemies within the media would like him to.

“I know some people want to get rid of me – but they won’t,” he laughed.

“A lot of people have been talking about my successor but they will have to put up with me for a while yet.

“I have a couple of years left in me. Another couple of songs.

“I have a bit of time. When you are fit and healthy that is the only thing you can think of. If you are not, that is a different issue.”

Instead, Ferguson thinks Lippi will resume his career in Italy at the start of next season, believing the former Juventus coach will not eventually end up in England, as many pundits have predicted.

By that time, the Scot hopes to have added to his already impressive trophy collection.

With 16 major honours to his name, plus a host of others, including the World Club Championship and European Super Cup, Ferguson is currently the most decorated manager Britain has ever produced.

Yet it would be a major disappointment if United were not to at least add one more to the list, having moved nine points clear at the Barclays Premiership summit as well as booking a Champions League quarter-final meeting with AS Roma.

Given Chelsea’s vast resources, a title triumph this term would undoubtedly rank as one of Ferguson’s finest achievements.

Yet the 65-year-old is unwilling to class it as such, insisting it would be of no lesser or greater significance than any of his previous eight.

“Winning the league any year is an achievement,” he said. “They have all been fantastic and this one would be no different from the rest.

“Excluding the League Cup, there are three major trophies on offer. All the top English clubs are chasing them, so not everyone can win them.

“We are fortunate in that we still have a chance, so hopefully we can do it.”