Ferguson pays tribute to the man he's had 'a million arguments' with as United chief exec Gill announces decision to step down

By Chris Wheeler for the Daily Mail

Published: 06:36 EDT, 20 February 2013 | Updated: 15:07 EDT, 20 February 2013

Sir Alex Ferguson has spoken of a big personal loss as Manchester United's chief executive David Gill announced he will stand down in the summer.

United confirmed Gill, who joined as finance director in February 1997 and assumed the role of chief executive in September 2003, is to leave his post on June 30 but remain as a club director.

Ferguson said: 'David has been a magnificent chief executive. Of course, we have had a million  arguments, but I have always enjoyed them because I know that David has two great qualities: he is straight and he always puts Manchester United first.

Standing down: David Gill (left) is to leave his post at Manchester United this summer

Hopeful: Sir Alex Ferguson is glad Gill will stay on the Manchester United board

Enthused: Sir Alex Ferguson gestures to the crowd at half-time during the FA Cup tie against Reading

'No disagreement is personal with him. He always wants the best for United, whether it's the players, the training ground or the staff. Him stepping down is a big loss to me but the fact he is staying on the board encourages me that the reason for his departure is heartfelt, (and) that he believes it is time for the club to move on.

'If I could have found a way of persuading him to stay I would love to have done that. But he has made his decision and I respect him for it.'

The importance of Gill at Old Trafford and his relationship with Ferguson cannot be underestimated.

As the 55-year-old prepares to hand over day-to-day control of the club to United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, it must be asked whether the change at the top will affect Ferguson's own thoughts about when to quit.

Success: United celebrate their record 19th title in 2011 and (below) their 2008 Champions League triumph

SO WHO IS THE NEW MAN AT FERGIE'S SIDE?

Ed Woodward, 40, will take over from outgoing Manchester United chief executive David Gill in the summer. But who is Sir Alex Ferguson's new right-hand man at the club?

Woodward graduated from Bristol University in 1993 with a BSc in physics before qualifying as a chartered accountant in 1996.

He joined PricewaterhouseCoopers and worked for J.P. Morgan between 1999 and 2005. J.P. Morgan was heavily involved in the Glazer takeover of United.

Woodward joined United following the 2005 takeover and assumed control of the club's commercial and media operations in 2007, becoming director of Manchester United Merchandising Ltd and in-house television station MUTV.

Under his watch, commercial revenue has increased to more than £100million a year and he was elected to the Manchester United Ltd board in February 2008.

Woodward joined the board of directors last April and is the club's executive vice-chairman. He takes over from Gill as chief executive at the end of June.

ANDREW MAGEE

When that day came, it was always said that only two men would make the decision: Ferguson and Gill. No-one ever expected Gill to go first.

There isn't a stronger relationship between boardroom and dugout in English football than these two men have shared since Gill took over as chief executive 10 years ago; he is arguably closer to the manager than any of Ferguson's assistants or coaches throughout more than 26 years at Old Trafford.

He has been the man to bounce ideas off, the sympathetic ear on transfers, the executive who largely let Ferguson run the football side of the club his way. Most of all, they supported each other through the storm of protest that followed the Glazer takeover.

Many say that was fundamental to Ferguson carrying on into his seventies. United are also losing a top football administrator.

Gill has presided over record revenues and business growth despite the controversy over the Glazer debt and an economic downturn.

He has also been one of the most influential voices in the Premier League and is a candidate for the UEFA executive committee elections in May, having been appointed vice-chairman of the FA last October. At 6ft 5in tall, he was always guaranteed to be a big presence.

'Head and shoulders above other administrators in the country in every respect,' was how one leading football official described him yesterday. Ferguson will be reassured by the fact that Woodward - a 40-year-old former banker - has been at Old Trafford since 2005. It might have been a different story if United were bringing in a new face.

Old and the new: Gill (left) pictured with Martin Edwards in 1997

'Ed is taking over from a chief executive who has helped to lay the foundations of the present Manchester United,' added Ferguson.

Gill said: 'I have worked alongside the finest manager in the history of the game and been part of what I consider to be the best club in the best sport in the world.

'However, I have always been conscious of the fact that I was always just a temporary custodian of this marvellous institution. I am also of the view that all businesses need to refresh themselves and after 10 years in charge I believe it is appropriate for someone new to pick up the baton. I am looking forward to continuing my involvement on the club board. And I hope to be able to make a contribution to the game on a wider national and European level.'

Woodward described his appointment as a 'great honour' and added: 'Alex's experience and track record are incomparable and I look forward to having the opportunity to support him in shaping his squad and maintaining the club's position at the pinnacle of the sport.' 

Just how long Ferguson will  continue remains the biggest question of all at Old Trafford.

Warming up: A scarf seller sets up outside Old Trafford

Looking on: Ferguson oversees United's 2-1 win over Reading on Monday evening