Alex Ferguson gazed affectionately at the 21st winner's medal of his 22nd season at Manchester United and began reminiscing about his former teams and players.
Prelude to retirement? Quite the opposite.
The 66-year-old Scot won his 10th Premier League title on Sunday, and then reaffirmed his voracious appetite for soccer and his intention to eclipse Liverpool's record of 18 English league titles. United has 17.
"I think it will come," Ferguson said after his team beat Wigan 2-0 to clinch the title. "This side is young. There is plenty left in them.
"I am very proud to have survived so long but I am at a great club which makes it easier for me than the rest."
It's hard to see Ferguson walking away?-- as he nearly did in 2002?-- after having building yet another championship team. And even if he wanted to, Cathy Ferguson wouldn't let him.
"Retire? That wife of mine will just nose me to throw me out of the door," Ferguson said. "She kicks me out at 7 in the morning, it's just not fair. That's definitely a no. I dare not risk the wrath of that lass."
Ferguson could win his 22nd trophy on May 21 in the Champions League final against Chelsea in Moscow.
Regardless of this season's achievements, Ferguson is set to add to his squad in the summer, with striker Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov top of his list, and with the full backing of the United board.
(Agencies via Shanghai Daily May 13, 2008)