For legions of Manchester United fans, Sir Alex Ferguson symbolises an era of unwavering dominance and success. Yet the years since his storied retirement from management in 2013 have tested the legendary Scot with profound personal trials, revealing a resilience forged far from the football pitch.
A Life-Threatening Crisis and a Fight for Survival
The first major challenge struck in May 2018, when Sir Alex, then 79, suffered a sudden brain haemorrhage. He required emergency surgery at Salford Royal Hospital, where doctors estimated his chance of survival at a mere 20 per cent. Reflecting on that day in his 2021 documentary 'Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In', he recalled there were five similar haemorrhages. "Three died. Two survived. You know you are lucky," he stated.
During his hospital stay, Ferguson confronted his own mortality. "It was a beautiful day, I remember that. I wondered how many sunny days I would ever see again," he revealed, admitting he found the thought difficult. His recovery was arduous; a complication temporarily robbed him of his speech, leaving him feeling helpless and in tears. "The moments when you are on your own, there is that fear and loneliness that creeps into your mind," Ferguson confessed. "You don't want to die. That is where I was at."
Heartbreak and Life After Lady Cathy
After making a full physical recovery, Ferguson was dealt a devastating blow in late 2023 with the passing of his wife of 57 years, Lady Cathy. He often described her as the "bedrock" of his life and the one person he never challenged, a significant admission from the master of the infamous 'hairdryer treatment'.
The couple met in 1964 at a typewriter factory and married two years later. Cathy was instrumental in his career, providing stability and even persuading him to reverse his decision to retire in 2002. Her loss left Sir Alex reeling. He admitted he "struggled to leave the house" and coped by embarking on extensive travels to destinations including Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, and Bahrain.
Upon returning, he joined a dementia support group and made the decision to sell the couple's £3.25million Cheshire home. He now resides in the village of Goostrey, near Knutsford, with his son Darren as his neighbour.
A Graceful Exit from a £2m Ambassador Role
Ferguson's deep connection to Manchester United has remained, with the 13-time Premier League winning manager frequently attending matches. However, in 2024, his formal, paid association with the club changed. As part of wide-ranging cost-cutting measures implemented by new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Ferguson's £2 million per year ambassador role was terminated.
Ratcliffe, whose INEOS group acquired a 25 per cent stake in United in February 2024, described the conversation as "very grown up." He explained to Ferguson that the club was spending more than it earned and could no longer afford the arrangement. While Sir Alex was initially "a little bit grumpy," he considered the situation and returned three days later with his decision. "Fine, I'm going to step away from it. My decision," he told Ratcliffe, who praised him for putting the club before himself.
The image of Ferguson as an indomitable force on the touchline is forever etched in football history. Yet his most profound demonstrations of strength have come in recent years: in surviving a medical nightmare, in navigating immense grief, and in accepting change with dignity. His legacy, it seems, is no longer defined solely by trophies, but by perseverance, devotion, and quiet courage in the face of life's greatest challenges.
