NEWS: Manchester United's Premiership challengers were left with much to ponder yesterday when, three weeks after announcing that he had reconsidered his retirement plans, Alex Ferguson finally signed a new three-year deal with the club.
United confirmed in a statement to the stock exchange that Ferguson had agreed to extend his tenure until June 30th, 2005, by which time the most successful manager in English football will be 63.
The deal is understood to worth £11.5m, at about £70,000 a week, making him easily the highest-paid manager in Britain, ahead of David O'Leary at Leeds.
The biggest motivation for the Scot, who has won 14 major trophies since he took charge in November 1986, remains to make United Europe's premier club. "I've always said I enjoy it. I know the pressure at this club," he said yesterday. "In the main, though, I've had 15 years which I have thoroughly enjoyed."
After he confirmed his interest in returning to the post Ferguson had claimed he would modify the job in the coming years. "I'll tailor it a little differently, reduce the workload a bit," he said.
Last August, Ferguson's family had persuaded him into his initial decision to leave management after 28 years - the last 16 of them at Old Trafford - because they were worried about the strains on his health.
"I don't feel any different and I don't feel as though I'm stressed," he said. "But maybe you're not always the best judge of yourself in these things. Maybe others can see things about you that are different that you don't recognise yourself."
Meanwhile angry Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has disciplined striker John Hartson. The Wales international kicked out at Aberdeen defender Jamie McAllister in the closing stages of the clubs' Scottish Cup game on Monday night and was sent off.
O'Neill said there was "no doubt that the referee was right to show John Hartson the red card. Now, in addition to whatever punishment the authorities deem necessary, John will be subject to internal discipline here". He added: "We will never tolerate such behaviour at this club, and there was absolutely no need for it."
The Scottish Football Association yesterday confirmed they would not be taking any action against Neil Lennon for gesturing at Aberdeen fans. The police had claimed he incited the crowd.
Hull City parted company with their manager Brian Little with "immediate effect" yesterday, after the former striker had spent less than two years in the job. Hull, still in the Third Division play-off zone, have won only four of their last 15 games.
Sunderland have thwarted Hull's bid to take striker Michael Reddy back on loan until the end of the season. Sunderland have blocked the move as there are lingering doubts over the fitness of the 24-year-old, who has been struggling with a hamstring problem.
Midfielder Alan Quinn has signed a two-year extension to his contract with Sheffield Wednesday. The Republic of Ireland under-21 international would have been out of contract in the summer.
However, there could be bad news for Barry Conlon. The leading scorer with Division Three side Darlington could be out of action for the rest of the season with a cartilage injury.
Manchester City have completed the £2m signing of the China defender Sun Jihai from Dalian Wanda. The 24-year-old has agreed a three-and-a-half-year deal.
