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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Alex Milne

Ex-Charlton boss Alan Curbishley reveals all about Man Utd job speculation

Alan Curbishley has insisted he did not put his name forward to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United following his retirement.

The Red Devils legend finally stepped down in 2013 after 26 years in charge at Old Trafford, and there was a huge amount of speculation as to his successor before David Moyes was eventually hired.

Curbishley was known to be close with Ferguson, and some suggested he could be recommended to the club by the Scottish great.

But speaking on the Paddy Power podcast From The Horse's Mouth, Curbishley said he never considered the position.

"I read that somewhere recently, and it's the first I've known about it!" he said. "No, I didn’t bother him with that at that moment.

"I think the thing for me at the time at Charlton, we were doing great things, if you like.

"I'd been on an interview for the England job, along with Sam Allardyce and Steve McClaren and a few others. It went to Steve McClaren.

"So, at the time, I was perhaps in the frame for one or two things. I'm not quite sure if it was all true, but obviously, when you're in the loop, you're on people's lips.

"When I left West Ham and for quite a few years, I was always getting linked with things which I didn't know anything about."

Curbishley has not returned to management since resigning from the Hammers in 2008.

And he revealed a piece of advice Ferguson had given him following his departure from Upton Park.

Sir Alex Ferguson eventually recommended David Moyes for the job (Action Images)

He added: "When I left West Ham, I was warned by Alex Ferguson not to be out for too long because you're quickly forgotten and that's what happened in some respects.

"I was offered situations to come back in. But, I didn’t think they were quite right, and then suddenly, a year turned into another year and you're not on people's lips. You're out of favour."

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