THAILAND: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Thai fans react following the news of Alex Ferguson's plan to step aside as manager of Manchester United

Record ID: 860211

  • Title: THAILAND: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Thai fans react following the news of Alex Ferguson's plan to step aside as manager of Manchester United
  • Date: 8th May 2013
  • Summary: BANGKOK, THAILAND (MAY 8, 2013) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF MANCHESTER UNITED SHOP IN SHOPPING MALL SIGN OF MANCHESTER UNITED MANCHESTER UNITED T-SHIRT ON MODEL MANCHESTER UNITED SOUVENIRS VARIOUS OF DECORATIONS IN SHOP SOUVENIRS ON SHELF SELLERS STANDING BEHIND COUNTER SOUVENIR ON SHELF (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) WITTHAYA WILAILUCK, 35 YEAR-OLD THAI FAN OF MANCHESTER UNITED, SAYING: "The image of Manchester United team always come together with Sir Alex Ferguson but now if he's gone, all the fans will be very sad." VARIOUS OF COUPLE LOOKING FOR SOUVENIRS (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) EAKAPOP TAECHAKAMOLSUK, 30 YEAR-OLD THAI FAN, SAYING: "The team might be a little bit shaky after he leaves. All the football players, fans around the world, I'm sure, they are all shocked." VARIOUS INSIDE SHOP MAN WEARING MANCHESTER UNITED T-SHIRT WALKING
  • Embargoed: 23rd May 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Thailand
  • City:
  • Country: Thailand
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA3LLQSY60ECSPOGU6KO1XY5L47
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Thai fans expressed their shock after Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson announced his plans to retire on Wednesday (May 8).
    Ferguson will step aside at the end of the Premier League season after 26 years in charge of the storied club, the team announced on Wednesday.
    The news shocked Thai fans where Manchester United are scheduled to visit on July.

    "The image of Manchester United team always come together with Sir Alex Ferguson but now if he's gone, all the fans will be very sad," said Witthaya Wilailuck (pron: wit-ta-ya wi-lai-luck), a 35 year-old Thai fan.
    A new manager has not been named but Everton's David Moyes and Real Madrid's Jose Mourinho are being linked to the job.
    Eakapop Taechakamolsuk (pron: eak-ka-pop tae-cha-ka-mon-suk) said that the news brings with it uncertainty about the future success of the club.

    "The team might be a little bit shaky after he leaves. All the football players, fans around the world, I'm sure, they are all shocked," said the 30 year-old.
    The 71-year-old Ferguson's last game in charge will be on May 19, when United are away to West Bromwich Albion. His side won the league for the 13th time this season under the legendary Scot.
    Ferguson's final appearance at Old Trafford will be on Sunday against Swansea.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2013. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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