Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed reports that he will end his reign as the Manchester United manager in three years' time, after 25 years in charge of the club.
"It's something I've said quite a bit, if your health is good and you are enjoying your job it could be two or three years, who knows?" said 66-year-old Ferguson. "I am not going to pigeonhole myself on that one. It could be four years. Who knows, it could be tomorrow. It is impossible to put a time limit on it."
Ferguson originally planned to retire at the end of the 2004-05 season but then reversed his plans. The Scot has taken his trophy haul at Manchester United to 18, making him the most successful manager in English football.
His longest-serving player, Ryan Giggs, also played down reports that Ferguson's time as manager is coming to an end. "I can't see it in the near future. He has a hunger for the game and he is enjoying it more than ever," Giggs said. "He is enjoying the way the team plays and his desire is there for all to see. It has got to happen at some time but I can't see it in the near future."
Ferguson was earlier quoted as telling the Daily Mirror: "I still have a lot of passion. I'm still happy. But I'm 66 now - maybe three years more, then I'll finish ... I have a great assistant in Carlos Queiroz. He will come into the reckoning. But we have owners and a chief executive who will choose the new man in three years' time."
