Ferguson to start work on second book after announcing imminent retirement

Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement will mean work starting soon on his second autobiography, which he verbally agreed to write three years ago for an expected advance of around £2million from publishers Hodder & Stoughton.

Fergie’s first authorised life story came out in the treble year of 1999. But there is plenty enough material on and off the pitch for a second volume of memoirs concentrating on the last 14 years.

As well as Fergie’s multiple trophy success, there is the seven-year snubbing of the BBC for their documentary about his football agent son Jason, the split with David Beckham, the nuclear fall-out with racing tycoons John Magnier and JP McManus over Rock of Gibraltar’s breeding rights, the arrival at Old Trafford of the Glazers and his dealings with the now-marginalised Wayne Rooney.