Former England manager Fabio Capello says the retiring Sir Alex Ferguson told him that he wanted to escape the stress of Top Tier managment to spend time with his family.
Capello was initially surprised by the announcement of the 71-year-old's retirement, but during a phone call between the two this past week, the Scot revealed how we couldn't handle the pressure anymore after 26 long years at the club.
"I met Ferguson a few months ago at the Football Association's national football centre and he told me that he would continue. The news of the retirement surprised me," Capello told Sky Italia. "I called him yesterday and he told me that he decided [to step down] due to excess stress. Always having to win is something that is very challenging and he told me he wanted to go around the world with his wife."
Capello added, "I normally think that after four-five years at the most a coach should move, so to think that he stayed on the same bench for 26 years is incredible. That takes psychological, technical and humane capacity. I had a special relationship with him."
Ferguson will be given an emotional send off at Old Trafford when United takes on Swansea on Sunday.
The Premier League champions will also be handed their trophy and winners' medals following the game, marking the manager's 13th title success during his tenure.
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