|
|
'Gill departure is a big loss' - Ferguson praises outgoing Manchester United chief executive
Feb 20, 2013 1:00:00 PM
The Red Devils' manager believes the 55-year-old, who revealed he will step down in June, is making a "heartfelt" decision that could ultimately push the club forward
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has praised David Gill after the chief executive announced he will step down in June, and revealed the his departure will be a "big loss" personally.Gill has called time on his current at Old Trafford after 10 years in the position, and while he will remain as a director on the board, he will be concentrating on the 2013 Uefa Executive Committee elections as the FA's candidate.
The 71-year-old manager suggests that while he and the 55-year-old have had disagreements in the past, he admires the chief executive's honesty and wishes he could have persuaded him to stay.
"I have been at United for over 26 years and for 23 of those years my boss has been one of only two men: Martin Edwards, who brought me to the club, and David Gill. I have enjoyed working with both," he told the club's official website.
"David has been a magnificent chief executive. Of course, we have had a million arguments, but I have always enjoyed them because I know that David has two great qualities: he is straight and he always puts Manchester United first.
"Him stepping down is a big loss to me but the fact that he is staying on the board encourages me that the reason for his departure is heartfelt, that he believes it is time for the club to move on."
Ferguson regrets that he was unable to persuade Gill to stay in his role, but wishes him well for the future and believes he has always put the club first rather than himself.
"If I could have found a way of persuading him to stay I would love to have done that. But he has made his decision and I respect him for it.
"He has been, and will continue to be, a fantastic success for Manchester United. He has all the qualities of successful people ingrained in him: energy, honesty, integrity, personality and decision-making ability. I wish him well in whatever new challenges he will tackle in the future.
"No disagreement is ever personal with him. He always wants the best for United, whether it's the players, the training ground or the staff."
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets |
|
| Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached! |
|
| Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET! |
|
Related Stories
Inside Goal.Com
-
Ancelotti’s departure leaves PSG in a pickle
With the Italian bound for Spain, the Ligue 1 champions face an uncertain immediate future
-
Cartoon: Bayern & Dortmund given licence to thrill
Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day
-
Soulless EPL must face up to grim reality
After a season marred by controversy and a failure of its top teams to put up a credible Champions League challenge, the world's supposed best league is falling behind
-
-
Why Real Madrid are appointing Ancelotti
After the decision to dispense with Jose Mourinho was announced on Monday, the Spanish side have set their sights on the PSG coach, and he looks like the ideal man for the job
