Even Gill accepts it is impossible to envisage one individual staying in a job of that size so long again.
But, while armchair pundits continue to speculate when Ferguson might decide to call it a day, the man closer to him than anyone else can see no immediate requirement to search for a replacement.
"Alex has a good few years ahead of him, so succession plans are not on the agenda at the moment," Gill told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme.
"As and when Alex decides to step down we will look at all possibilities but we have a great team managing Manchester United on the pitch at the moment and we see no reason to change that at all."