Ex Man United boss Sir Alex Ferguson snubs peerage to spend Fergie time with wife

Sir Alex Ferguson has been true to his word and put family first after rejecting the chance to become a lord.

Sir Alex Ferguson turned down possibility of becoming a lord

The recently retired Manchester United boss, 71, passed up the chance of a peerage and a seat in the House of Lords to spend more time with his wife Cathy.

Labour's new peers are due to be announced shortly, along with new Tory and Lib Dems lords.

And Ed Miliband is a big fan. The party leader described Fergie as “the most successful football manager the world has ever seen”.

Sir Alex is devoting more time to loyal wife Cathy

“For 47 years she’s been the leader of the family and sacrificed for me. She’s lost her best friend in Bridget, so I owe her time.”

Sir Alex Ferguson

Insiders told the Daily Mirror that when left-wing Sir Alex left Old Trafford there was a “distinct possibility” he would also be on their list for the honour.

One said: “He’s a Labour supporter and will always try to help the party. But he made it clear he’s not interested. It’s not for him.”

Sir Alex’s decision came to light when he announced he was leaving the dugout after 26 years at United to focus on his family following the death of his sister-in-law.

Labour leader Ed Miliband, right, is a big admirer of Fergie

He told fans at his final game: “Things changed when Cathy’s sister died. She’s isolated a lot now and I owe her a lot of my own time.

“For 47 years she’s been the leader of the family and sacrificed for me. She’s lost her best friend in Bridget, so I owe her time. It’s important.”

The former shipyard worker is not the first person to turn down an honour.

Writer JB Priestley snubbed a peerage, film director Alfred Hitchcock turned down a CBE in 1962, while Charlie and the Chocolate Factory author Roald Dahl said no to an OBE in 1986.