(CNN) -- From a 2-0 defeat at Oxford United on November 6, 1986 to a English Premier League coronation party through the streets of Manchester on May 13. Alex Ferguson's 26-year reign at Manchester United has seen the club transformed from a sleeping giant to a relentless, trophy-winning juggernaut in both the football arena and the sports business world. Following Wednesday's announcement that the Scot, the most successful coach in English football history, will end his Old Trafford tenure, CNN marks seven moments which have defined Ferguson's career. Sacked by St Mirren Ferguson's managerial career has been littered with glorious highs, but it has not been without its lows, none more so than in 1978 when Ferguson was in charge of Scottish team St Mirren.
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Alex Ferguson will retire as Manchester United manager at the end of the season
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The Scot has been in charge of the Old Trafford club since 1986
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Ferguson has led the club to 13 English Premier League titles and five FA Cup wins
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United have also twice won the European Champions League under Ferguson
He oversaw a remarkable upturn in St MIrren's fortunes which saw the unheralded club win the second-tier of Scottish football in 1977 with a squad which bore classic hallmarks of a @placeholder team, notably his faith in young players.
May 26, 1999, was a night which simultaneously defied belief and defined Ferguson's @placeholder reign.