Alex Ferguson has revealed that loyalty to his wife, Cathy, was the key factor in his decision to retire from football management at the end of the current season.

The 71-year-old Scot enjoyed an emotion-charged farewell in Manchester United’s 2-1 victory over Swansea City at Old Trafford on Sunday, his last home game after more than 26 years in charge of the new English champions.

“Around last Christmas,” said Ferguson, when asked when he had decided to bring an end to his reign.

“Basically, things changed when Cathy’s sister died. She is isolated a lot now and I think a lot of the time, for 47 years, she has been the leader of the family, looked after our three sons and sacrificed herself for me.

“Now she has the grandchildren, and they all dote on her, but now she has lost her best friend — her sister — so that was important.

“I think it is also important to go out as a winner. That is really important at this club. It is all I ever wanted to do here — be a winner.”

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