"Football, eh. Bloody 'ell"

What do you think of when you hear the name Sir Alex Ferguson?

I think of a formidable, belligerent Scot who just loves a moan. Whether it’s about the lack of stoppage time or generosity thereof, the referee, or a quite justified red card. He’s always in the ear in the officials. Above the law. Irascible at press conferences. A bully. He really, REALLY, winds me up.

God, I’m going to miss him.

Because he’s always just been there. When I was born he was three years away from taking the Manchester United manager’s job. I’m now nearly 30, and he’s finally off.

His United record is unprecedented, and will never be surpassed. 13 League titles, 5 FA Cups, 4 League Cups and 2 European Cups among 38 honours in total. An extraordinary achievement.

And I’ll never forget the last minute dramas in which his teams have been involved. In victory (Clive Tyldesley’s wet-yourself moment as Solskjaer’s late goal beat Bayern Munich in the 1999 Champions League final) and in defeat (Agueroooooooo’s stoppage time Premier League winner in 2012). He’s seen off the challenges of Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea. And having this season silenced the noisy neighbours at Manchester City, it’s now it’s time to go.

It’s going to be odd not seeing him patrolling the touchline next season, haranguing linesmen, already ruddy cheeks reddening further with every decision he disagrees with (most of them). It’s a sight we’re used to. Comforting, almost. Like your grandad’s favourite armchair.

So now the armchair’s being wheeled away, the hairdryer hung up, is it just me who’s just a bit worried? Will his departure put another chink in the armour of the Premier League? It’s not been a vintage season. Sir Alex’s team has cantered to the title, never needing to be at their scintillating best. And without Ferguson, the quality might still drop another notch.

But then again, maybe United falling back into the pack will make it a closer, more exciting Premier League.

And as this legend leaves the game, maybe the rest of us will have a chance now.