Sir Alex Ferguson's huge net worth, BBC feud and heartbreak over wife's death

The legendary former Manchester United manager has had his lucrative role at Old Trafford terminated

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has had his lucrative ambassadorial role at the club terminated as part of radical cost-cutting measures at Old Trafford.

The 82-year-old has been receiving a multi-million pound annual contract as a global club ambassador since he retired from management back in 2013. However, new owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is carrying out extensive cuts at United with Ferguson among the casualties of the new measures.

The legendary manager is believed to have amicably accepted the move and accepted the termination of his role without any bitterness, as he himself looks to step away from a number of significant responsibilities he still holds ahead of his 83rd birthday.

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Ferguson is still the most successful Red Devils boss of all time, having won 38 trophies during his 26-and-a-half year stint at the club, including including 13 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues. Having also coached St Mirren, Aberdeen and the Scotland national team, he became a legend at United and is widely regarded as one of, if not the best, managers of all time.

Away from the dugout, however, he kept much of his personal life under wraps - although he has opened up more about it since retiring from football in 2013. Here's everything you need to know.

Huge net worth

Ferguson's net worth is estimated to be around £53million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.

Earlier this year, he sold his luxury mansion in Cheshire for a reported £3million, having slashed £500,000 off the initial asking price in a bid to find a buyer. He has since moved to a £1.2million house in Goostrey, near Knutsford, to be near to his son Darren and his grandchildren.

While it has been over a decade since he retired from management, Ferguson is still adding to his personal fortune with his firm reportedly earning a staggering £1.6million in 2023. According to the Sun, his business, ACF Sports Promotions Ltd, now has £24.3million in assets and investments.

The nature of ACF's business is listed as 'other sports activities' with Ferguson bringing in money from book deals and other personal appearances. The firm also has £2million in heritage assets, namely football memorabilia on show at museums and universities.

BBC boycott

As a manager, Ferguson was known for his fiery temperament and could often be feisty in TV interviews and towards journalists at press conferences.

However, in 2004, he took it to the next level as he began to boycott the BBC after it made allegations of corruption against his son Jason in a Panorama documentary.

For seven years, the Manchester United manager refused to give post-match interviews to the broadcaster, with his assistant Carlos Queiroz often conducting them instead. He would later describe the corporation as "arrogant beyond belief", adding: “They did a story about my son that was a whole lot of nonsense.

"It was all made-up stuff and ‘brown paper bags’ and all that kind of carry-on. It was a horrible attack on my son’s honour and he should never have been accused of that.”

However, in 2011, following a personal visit by BBC bosses, Ferguson agreed to end the boycott and make himself available for interviews and other appearances again.

A statement issued at the time said: "Sir Alex and the BBC have put behind them the difficulties which led to Sir Alex feeling unable to appear on BBC programmes. The issues have been resolved to the satisfaction of both parties.

"Sir Alex will now make himself available to the BBC for Match of the Day, Radio 5 Live and other outlets as agreed. No further comment will be made by either party on this issue."

Heartbreak over wife's death

Last year, Ferguson was left heartbroken after his "beloved" wife Lady Cathy died aged 84.

The couple had been married for nearly 60 years and had three sons together, with the birth of Mark in 1968 followed by the arrival of twins Jason and Darren in 1972. At the time of Cathy's death, they also had 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

In a statement, the Ferguson family said: "We are deeply saddened to confirm the passing yesterday of Lady Cathy Ferguson, survived by her husband, three sons, two sisters, 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The family asks for privacy at this time."

At the time, a spokesperson for Manchester United added: "Everyone at Manchester United sends our heartfelt condolences to Sir Alex Ferguson and his family on the passing of Lady Cathy, a beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother, and a tower of strength for Sir Alex throughout his career."

Having been admired by many at Old Trafford, Cathy's funeral was attended by a host of Manchester United legends including Bryan Robson, Steve Bruce, Gary Neville and David Beckham.

Ferguson opened up on his "painful" loss less than a month later, as he paid tribute to his late wife and fellow United legend Sir Bobby Charlton, who also passed away last October.

In a tribute published published in the matchday programme for United's derby match at home to Manchester City, he wrote: "Unfortunately, I have also suffered the painful loss of my beloved wife, Cathy, this month, and I want to thank the club, the fans, and everyone who has sent me their condolences.

"The black armbands worn by the team against Brentford, and the flags at half-mast around Old Trafford were a wonderful tribute. Cathy supported me every step of the way through my career, and she was the backbone of our family. At such a sad time, there is tremendous comfort to be found in being part of the Manchester United community and we've all felt that spirit this week."

In a further sit-down interview with the BBC, he said: "Well, 58 years [of marriage] is a long long time, she was a great, great wife, a fantastic mother and a great grandmother. She was the leader of the band, no doubt about that."

While she tended to stay out of the spotlight, Ferguson paid another glowing tribute to Lady Cathy in his first autobiography as he attributed the great success he had in football to his wife's unwavering support.

"My wife Cathy is the mainstay of our family," he wrote. "It is she who has carried the main burden of bringing up our three sons, Mark, Jason and Darren. This is more than I could have asked for and they have turned out to be fantastic sons and fantastic people.

"We have all got to thank her for being such a great wife and mother. It has always been Cathy's way to stay in the background, but now it is time for her to accept some limelight. I gratefully acknowledge her role in any success I have had. Without her down-to-earth attitude to life and her unstinting support none of it would have been possible."