Soccer: United, fans hail Ferguson at coach’s final home game

As red-and-white ticker tape flew into the rainy sky at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, a beaming Alex Ferguson, right, held aloft the Premier League trophy for a 13th and final time.

Behind Britain’s most-

successful soccer manager stood his jubilant squad of players, dancing to a soundtrack of Song for the Champions being belted out by more than 76,000 fans.

It was the end of an era at Manchester United yesterday as Ferguson took charge of his final home match as coach of a club he has led for nearly 27 years. And he had a 38th piece of major silverware to celebrate it with.

“You have been the most-fantastic experience of my life,” Ferguson said during an emotional five-minute speech to the crowd. “Thank you.


The 2-1 victory over Swansea was more a party than a soccer match. It was a tribute to Ferguson, who has won 13 league titles, two Champions League titles, five FA Cups and four League Cups.