Fergie must let Moyes take reins at Man U
Of course, he'll keep a finger-in-the-pie. Who would be naive enough to seriously think that the scary, gum-chewing Sir Alex will not influence the new manager's plans?
Maybe demolish his dreams? He's not the sort to go quietly into retirement and leave Manchester United to its new regime. And every time he is seen around the place in his role as director and ambassador, adoring fans will hark back to all their yesteryears, the Ferguson years.
Football apart, it is just a given that when someone leaves any top job and a role in which he has been all but elevated to sainthood by an adoring fan base, he ain't going to go quietly. Especially when he already has a seat in the boardroom and a roaming ambassadorial role. It's human nature, folks.
And from what we've all seen of Sir Alex Ferguson, you wouldn't want to cross him in any sort of way.
Translate the football scenario to big business, education, health or any of the social organisations which add the protein to our lives, and the answer is the same.
When you leave the big job, best not to hang around. Not even when you've given your seal of approval to the new chosen one. In fact, that can be worse.
Everybody automatically thinks approval for the new guy or girl from the outgoing one, must mean that the role is secured. Ah,ah! Don't be daft.
The newcomer will be scrutinised and if not to the liking of the outgoing King, criticised and maybe finally marginalised.
Poor David Moyes has only to preside over a few silly, lost games next season for fans, who foolishly expect miracles, to turn on him. Then it could be just a matter of time before the Great One appears on the terraces with a rueful grin and a wave reminding them all what they've lost. That's the way it goes. Especially when you are dealing with massive egos (top football is full of them) and in Manchester's case, the unrivalled successes of a manager 26 years in the job.
Mind you, if Sir Alex does appear to be influencing the future as well as the past, at least he was good at what he did. Think banks, think politics, think all sorts of walks of life and could you say the same thing? I rest my case.