TIME UP-------------BUT WAIT,

Many people in sports have won several trophies and medals. Some go on to become legends but others just fade away.The difference in what becomes of them after their glorious careers may as well be in the timing of their exits. Judging from the number of sports people who have failed to time their exits, many find this harder than winning any honour during their sports career.
The list of those who have failed to call it quits on time is endless. Take Oliver Kahn for instance.His stay has been long enough to make his fans realise he has a concentration problem. There is no other way of explaining the simple ball he let through from a Roberto Carlos free kick in a crutial champions' league game. Patrick Kluivert has even failed the test more miserably. Holland's all time highest goal scorer and once one of Europe's finnest embarked on a late career at Newcastle United where he failed to get a place on the starting line up. He did not last long enough for the fans to learn his shirt number; the club released him after just one season but he still signed elsewhwere.If you want to appreciate the difference leaving at the right time makes, imagine Kahn quitting after his superb Korea-Japan 2002 world cup perfomance. His name would be the perfect illustration of a good goal keeper the way Schmichael's is mentioned in England. Eric Cantona and George Best are fervently remembered by the old Trafford faithfuls as much for their talents as their timely exits. They hang up their boots before their fans realised their heroes were actually mortal.
Shrewd, passionate and successful. A good manager does not come better than Alex Ferguson. During his stay, he has entertained us on the field with good football and off the field with his choice of words. He has won the club half the trophies it has, in only 19 years. For many years he tinkered with the team, played mind games, got rid of all who challenged his authority and no one seemed to mind. He was winning trophies, so all was well. Loosing a game did not alarm any body because the fans were sure the team was going to win the next many games.
Fergie's good relationship with the fans had never been in doubt until after the Blackburn loss. They booed him and his boys off the field, something that shocked many. If any one needed comfirmation of Fergie's decline, they got it that day. Soccer is a results bussiness and a manager and his team are only as good as their last game, even after winning so much. And Fergie's last results have only dented his reputation. Finishing third three times in the last four seasons is not something he is proud of. And neither is developing a propensity to concede late goals( to AC Milan and Porto) in champion's league knock out games. Sadly, English football's best manager has to go down in the history books as one of those who failed to time their exits. Last season he had to swallow his proud as David Gill told the world that he (Fergie) is sackable.Things have changed at Old Trafford. And this is what they have to do after 19 years.
Of course he is still a 'sir' especially because no one has matched his achievements. But think of a Fergie who calls it quits after winning the league in 2003. This Fergie is more of a 'sir' than the one you know. Or better still, think of one who quits after his 1999 treble winning season. This Fergie is almost a semi-god who has never fallen out golden boy Becks or Jaap Stam. This Fergie has not dared to sue his bosses over a racing horse. This is a perfect Fergie.
But it is not easy to leave the grand stage. Quiting something that has made you famous is like waking up and finding your self in a world that you cannot recognise. No one wants to leave the spot that every one is dreaming of. Life at the top seems to be intoxicatingly sweet. Many cling on to it until circumstances force them to leave but no one wants to leave on low note. Sir Alex finds himself in such a tricky spot. Time is up, this is for sure, but the gaffer wants to win something big like champions league or premiership to wrap up his extraordinary career. So be it. For the sake of the leagues best entertainer, for old times' sake.