A former England star has suggested that Manchester United’s current crop of players should offer to pay Sir Alex Ferguson’s salary following the club’s decision to axe his lucrative ambassadorial contract.
Ferguson became a global club ambassador and club director after stepping down as manager in 2013 after a 27-year reign. He reportedly received £2.16million-a-year to serve as a global ambassador for the club in an agreement which has continued for over a decade.
But United’s legendary manager, 82, has lost his contract following a face-to-face meeting between Ferguson and minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The move comes as part of a cost-cutting drive by Ratcliffe since Ineos took over football operations at the Premier League giants.
And ex-England and Manchester City defender Stuart Pearce believes this is an opportunity for United squad to show what the Old Trafford legend means to them.
An England legend has said that Man United’s players should pay Sir Alex Ferguson’s
Stuart Pearce L) believes this is an opportunity for the players to show what he means to them
Pearce told talkSPORT: ‘Wouldn’t it be good if the United squad said we’ll fund that money per-season to keep Alex in post because he’s too important to this club?
‘I got a little bit mischievous and thought, what if Manchester City players said, wouldn’t it be good if we chipped in and paid Alex Ferguson’s wages each year to keep him in place for what he’s done for that club across the road, that is going to inspire us on a weekly basis.
‘It would be classy. You’ve sacked your best ever but we’ll fund him, it’s no problem.’
The decision to dismiss Sir Alex from his role has received criticism from many, including former United striker Eric Cantona.
Cantona said: ‘Sir Alex Ferguson should be able to do anything he wants at the club until the day he dies.
‘Such a lack of respect. It’s totally scandalous. Sir Alex Ferguson will be my boss forever! And I throw them all in a big bag of s***!’
Sources insist the meeting was entirely amicable and that Ferguson, who will keep his title as a non-executive director, remains a close friend of the club who will always be welcome at Old Trafford.
For the last 11-and-a-half years, Ferguson’s duties have included representing United all over the world, as well as match-day hospitality with the club’s partners and sponsors at Old Trafford, and appearing on promotional videos.
The Scot has been a regular spectator at home and away games, apart the period after he suffered a life-threatening brain haemorrhage in 2018 and following the death of his wife, Lady Cathy, a year ago.
He has often been seen sitting next to Ratcliffe in the directors’ box and chatting with the Ineos owner since he paid £1.3billion to acquire 27.7 per cent of the club.
The Glazer family were happy to let Ferguson continue in his well-paid role, partly as an acknowledgement that his success on the pitch, winning 38 trophies over more than 26 years, brought huge financial benefit to the club.
But Ratcliffe has taken a more businesslike approach and decided that United can no longer afford to pay such a high price for Ferguson’s services when the rest of the club is feeling the squeeze.
Ferguson had been pictured with Man United’s hierarchy at the club’s last Premier League match before the international break against Aston Villa.
