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Ferguson is interviewed by Charlie Rose of PBS. Twitter/charlierose

Ferguson reveals Roman Abramovich offered him the Chelsea job

In an interview with a US television station, the Scot also insisted that he will not be coming out of retirement.

FORMER MANCHESTER UNITED manager Alex Ferguson claims he turned down an offer to manage Chelsea when Roman Abramovich first arrived in English football.

The Scot, who ended his 27-year spell in charge of the Premier League club back in May, was being interviewed for the first time since his retirement by American television channel PBS and spoke openly about an approach from Chelsea in 2003 and his successor David Moyes.

“They used an agent to approach me when Abramovich first took over the club,” Sky Sports report him as saying. “And I said ‘No chance’.

“I always come back to this point — why would you leave?”

Ferguson went on to again threw his support behind David Moyes and insisted he has no plans of returning to the Manchester United hotseat.

Moyes has overseen United’s worse start to a league camapign in 24 years with only two victories in the Premier League from their opening six games, but Ferguson does not believe it is time to panic.

The former United manager identified his successor and is confident Moyes will turn their fortunes around.

I’m not interested in managing again or getting myself worked up about Manchester United’s results,” he told PBS.

“United are in good hands with David Moyes. He will be fine. He’s a good manager. “You would be throwing your money down the drain if you put any money on me coming back as a manager.

“I made my decision. The timing was perfect. There is no way back for me now. I’ve got a new life.”

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53 Comments
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    Mute Kevin
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 12:39 PM

    I wonder how special the one and only Jose feels after hearing this. Liverpool fan myself, but nobody compares to Ferguson.

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    Mute pauljohnson
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 12:51 PM

    Fergie was gone senile already if he believed that actually happened. Why would you want a cheating alco managing your club. Hes definite senile now as he apparently hand picked De Moyes. Ha ha ha ha

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    Mute Begrudgy
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 12:53 PM

    Mind games again by Ferguson. This story is a load of shite. Next week he will be saying they offered him the Man city job.

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    Mute pauljohnson
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 1:00 PM

    Dont forget the Barca and Madrid job. They defiantly wanted you to. hahaha. Pull the other one you old washed up hasbien.

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    Mute James Anthony Watson
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 1:04 PM

    I agree with you Kevin, I was glad to see pep guardiola didn’t succumb to the lure of cash by joining chelsea, but showed he has a character both principled and of depth. Abramovich feels his cash will tempt all, well fergie and guardiola proved not all bow to the cash god.

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    Mute Briny Boy
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 1:08 PM

    @pauljohnson – What’s a hasbien?

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    Mute Joe Bourke
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 1:10 PM

    Somebody who used to be a lesbian?

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    Mute Kevin MJ O Brien
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 1:26 PM

    It’s not often I would agree with you Paul.

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    Mute Charles O'Dowd
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 1:30 PM

    @james yes I too am impressed Pep decided to take the on the Bayern Munich job in a voluntary capacity.

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    Mute pauljohnson
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 1:34 PM

    Haha. LAR you must be new to this. Im not in humour of explaining why my avatar is a Kerry jersey.just know your so wrong my stomach is hurting from laughter.

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    Mute Kevin
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 1:40 PM

    Classic…

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    Mute jrbmc
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 1:42 PM

    Hahahaha Johnson … Jose cried when he didn’t get the united job !!! And only got the Chelsea one cause Fergie turned it down ….. Does that burst your bubble or what …. The special one ??? More like the Consolation one !!

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    Mute Briny Boy
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 1:50 PM

    A cheat? Have you got evidence of this?

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    Mute Ted Crilly
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 1:54 PM

    Do you really believe the premiership is a real sport ? Compared to last Sundays all Ireland it pales

    45
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    Mute Kevin MJ O Brien
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 2:14 PM

    Yes Lar , Paul the Chelsea fan is hoping to get the thumbs down record.

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    Mute Nelly
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 2:17 PM

    He could be getting a phone call to come back to united cos theyre doing sh!te now. :)

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    Mute Henrik Larsson David Garland
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 2:34 PM

    this guy is a troll – dont bite

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    Mute Duncan
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 2:39 PM

    Joe top class answer. I nearly wet myself laughing

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    Mute keith flood
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 2:54 PM

    From Kerry , can’t spell and a gimp to boot . What a catch you are .

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    Mute Niall Quinlan
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 3:14 PM

    @pauljohnson : “hasbien”, oh how you make me laugh you poor deluded illiterate cockbiscuit :-)

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    Mute Adam Fitzpatrick
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 3:28 PM

    but he was approached a year before José actually came? Why would he care?

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    Mute pauljohnson
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 4:58 PM

    Niall why the insults.? I say you go through the cocks like a fat man with a packet of biscuits. Jrmc. Are you jokeing? Compare Jose champions champion championship head to head record agaisnt that dinosaur Fergie there!! The special one is right. You MANCHESTER fans just worry about tonigh. Midfield could be a tricky one for you lot as your midfield is non existent .

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    Mute jrbmc
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 5:20 PM

    He the most successful manager ever Johnson … Even the consolation one would admit that …

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    Mute Danny
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 5:50 PM

    Nice trolling ;-) But remember if you wanna be the best you need impeccable spelling, otherwise you come across as a spa, which you obviously are…

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    Mute Richie Kennedy
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 6:29 PM

    Johnson’s not from Kerry at all. He’s from London and he’s an ABU. He is also a blight on the comments section of this website. Somebody ban him.

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    Mute Niall Quinlan
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 6:51 PM

    ah paul, imitation is the highest form of flattery, you basically re-arranged what I called you and threw it back at me.

    You are the “Special” one in here like what Danny just said but I like you because I like laughing and you are unintentionally funny :-)

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    Mute pauljohnson
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 7:09 PM

    Jrmc. Thats just because Fergie is in the game ap long. Like I said,dinosaur. Richie I didnt realise we were 12 . Teacher teacher he said a bold word. You absolute bellend!!!!. Niall your saying I am imitating, your imitating a bloke that is from MANCHESTER. Match starting shortly. Have the night off for once. Gonna watch this disaster.

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    Mute Lar G Rection
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 12:49 PM

    Hardly surprising that Abramovich tried to hire the best manager in the world.

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    Mute Kevin MJ O Brien
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 2:45 PM

    His failure to win more Champions Leagues is a very bad black mark against him. He was often tactically out thought by continental managers like Jose or Guardiola.

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    Mute Peter McKenna
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 4:02 PM

    Ah yeah, serious black mark alright. Here’s the list of managers with more European cups than Alex Ferguson:

    1. Bob Paisley

    Here’s the list of managers who have more European trophies (e.g. Cup Winners Cup):

    1.

    You might want to do a little research before commenting next time.

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    Mute Pablo
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 4:05 PM

    Theres a reason Kevin: He didn’t have the Euro refs and UEFA in his pocket like the FA and PL refs.

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    Mute Kevin MJ O Brien
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 4:10 PM

    There are more leagues in Europe than the Premiership.

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    Mute Kevin MJ O Brien
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 4:19 PM

    Peter look at some of the bad defeats in Europe. Borussia Dortmund yes they went on to win but they should never have beaten Utd. FC Porto. United at home should have been good enough to close out that game. There was a bad defeat to Bayern Leverkusen. Those three teams were all average enough in terms of bring European powers. Another last minute goal against Bayern. Again UTD were at home and should have closed out the game. There was an epic home defeat to Madrid. Tactics were poor in that game. Then there was the early exit last year. They were all champions league ties where united had the chance to win and blew it. On Feegies tone they won 2 out of three finals. To me it’s a poor return given the dominance of united in the Premiership.

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    Mute Wilson
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 5:51 PM

    Pablo your stupidity knows no bounds …

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    Mute Pablo
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 6:29 PM

    Haha, we all know it true Wilson don’t we though

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    Mute colm buckley
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 1:00 PM

    It’s pitty his gone,living legend!
    jeez utd miss him now!

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    Mute Francis Heavey
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 12:45 PM

    Well he said the offer came when Abramovich first arrived so im sure Mouringo doesn’t give a toss

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    Mute Kevin MJ O Brien
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 1:00 PM

    Please go away Fergie. We’ve already had too many years listening to your rubbish. Before you bash me united fans I acknowledge his winning record. I just hate the guff he comes out with. So again please go away Fergie and leave your pick David Moyes alone to ruin Man U. You know it’s ironic that Fergies last decision to appoint Moyes could be his worst.

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    Mute Kevin MJ O Brien
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 1:15 PM

    I’m not feeling the love!!!

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    Mute Seamus Coffey
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 1:19 PM

    Why did you read the article if you’ve heard enough from him? Cop yourself on.

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    Mute Kevin MJ O Brien
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 1:25 PM

    Ah Seamus don’t be like that. I read it so I could give out about him obviously.

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    Mute John Miller
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 2:08 PM

    Regarding Ferguson’s recommendation of Moyes, I’d say he had a good inkling the former Everton man wouldn’t be up to the task. As far as Ferguson’s concerned, he did his duty by giving his fellow Scot, his fellow Glaswegian, this great opportunity.

    Above all else, Ferguson is interested in his own managerial reputation and legacy. He didn’t want a Mourinho, Guardiola etc coming in and being immediately successful, he wants to be missed, to be pined after. He is perfectly happy for Man United to go through a difficult period, in his mind it only enhances his own managerial reputation.

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    Mute Alan Dowdall
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 1:05 PM

    He has a book coming out soon.. It’s all publicity. I don’t doubt he was offered the job but it now means Chelsea fans will buy the book too!

    I’m a Liverpool fan and I definitely will be buying it, I rose to the bait months ago and it will be top of my shopping list at Christmas!

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    Mute Robert
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 3:19 PM

    I absolutely hate Man utd but I have to admit he was a genius utd weren’t a great team like Barcelona or Real Madrid when you compare their players throughout the years no other manager would have won even half as much with the players ferguson had down the years he just knew how to get the best out of the players he had without spending hundreds of millions every year like Chelsea or Real Madrid

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    Mute Gary Mason™
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 2:23 PM

    Liverpool fans and GAA Nazis, it’s like my worst nightmare come true

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    Mute Edmund Dantes
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 5:10 PM

    Jesus any soccer article and a bunch of eejits from walkinstown and the like go mental, get a life you gimps,

    You’re not from New York City, you’re from Rotherham
    So get off the bandwagon, put down the handbook

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    Mute aaron mohan
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 12:45 PM

    He says united is in the right hands with David but for years when he was at Everton all he ever wanted was to be above united and now he’s doing it fair play but there’s no need to panic

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    Mute alan smith
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 1:19 PM

    Christ did ya ever think of coming up with your own joke?

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    Mute Dave
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    Oct 3rd 2013, 8:45 AM

    I’ve heard this ‘joke’ already, and it would be funny if it actually made sense…

    There has been 6 games played in the Premier League so far, not 38. There has been plenty of times Everton, under David Moyes, have been ahead in the PL table of Manchester United early on in seasons gone by. If Everton finished this season, after 38 games, ahead of United – which is utterly doubtful – then the joke would make sense, as only then would Everton have actually finished ahead of United for the first time the league.

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    Mute John Staunton
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 2:27 PM

    Ah yes the great team that is ‘mancester united’ well done journal!

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    Mute John Staunton
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 4:32 PM

    Lol they added the h now my comment looks crazy!!

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    Mute Francis Heavey
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 12:46 PM

    *Mourinho even……

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    Mute Dave O'Hanlon
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    Oct 2nd 2013, 5:10 PM

    He tried to sign him on Special One TV on Setanta Sports.

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