British newspapers hailed Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson as arguably the greatest football coach in the history of the game on Thursday, after he dramatically announced he was retiring after nearly 27 years in charge. Ferguson was an exceptional personality who "could have been a great leader in any field he chose. Manchester United were lucky he chose football", the Daily Telegraph said. Even the Financial Times led its front page with the Ferguson story, saying he had given a "26-year masterclass in dealing with clashing personalities".

Alex Ferguson arrived at Old Trafford for the final time as Manchester United manager on Sunday, as he prepared to say an emotional farewell in his last home game. Having announced his retirement earlier this week, the 71-year-old will watch his side tackle Swansea City in the Premier League as he prepares to bow out after a record-breaking 26-and-a-half-year reign at United in which he has won a British-record 38 trophies.

Alex Ferguson will bid an emotional farewell to Old Trafford on Sunday as he takes charge of Manchester United for the final time on home turf after 26 years of unparallelled success in the English game. United manager Ferguson announced on Wednesday that he will retire at the end of the season after leading the club to 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League crowns, five FA Cups, four League Cups and a host of other trophies during his incredible reign.

Chelsea boss Rafael Benitez, one of Alex Ferguson's bitterest rivals, led an avalanche of warm tributes to the Manchester United boss who shocked football by announcing his retirement on Wednesday. Ferguson and Benitez often clashed when the Spaniard was coach at Liverpool. At one infamous pre-match press conference in 2009, Benitez even pulled out a sheet of paper and read out a list of accusations about Ferguson's conduct. But, four years on, Benitez preferred to concentrate on the positive legacy of the 71-year-old Ferguson's 26-year Old Trafford legacy.