Manchester United first team coach Rene Meulensteen says Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement announcement took him by surprise this morning. Meulensteen was told of Ferguson's plans this morning and felt the news was not entirely unexpected.
"(I found out) this morning when I came to the club," he said on Sky Sports News. "He called us into his office and he said what decision he took.
"It's always been on the cards - there's speculation every season. I think the manager kept his cards close to his chest. I think he felt the time was right now and he made a decision.
"He's obviously a man who thinks very, very well so I'm sure he's taken a lot of thought into making this decision.
"I wish him well. He's been fantastic for this club and I hope all the fans give whoever's going to come in the same support that he gets."
The Dutchman added: "We've responded really well to the big disappointment we had last year. There was a determination around the whole place - especially around the manager - and I think he's been delighted we won the title the way we did."
Asked who should replace Ferguson, Meulensteen joked: "(Club mascot) Fred the Red!"