Sir Alex Ferguson is set to return to coaching for one of his former players.
The legendary Manchester United boss has been away from management for over a decade, retiring in 2013 after almost 27 years in charge of the Red Devils.
GettyFerguson is set for a surprise return to the dugout[/caption]
During that time, he guided the club to 37 trophies including 13 league titles and two Champions League triumphs.
Almost 12 years on from his final match as Red Devils manager, though, Ferguson will make a comeback in Italy.
The 83-year-old is set to coach a team in Giuseppe Rossi’s farewell match, the former striker has claimed.
Rossi’s retirement will be celebrated with a match at Fiorentina’s Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 22.
A host of former teammates and Serie A icons are expected to feature, including Luca Toni, Antonio Cassano, Sebastien Frey, Borja Valero and Gabriel Batistuta.
They will be joined by Ferguson, who signed a teenage Rossi for United in 2004.
The ex-Italy international, who hung up his boots in 2023, revealed: “Ferguson will be there as a coach. He was my first coach, I signed when I was 17.
“I only did three years with him and played little, but he immediately said yes and this shows what kind of person he is.
“I did little at United but he treats me like Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored 1,000 goals.”
Rossi was handed his senior debut aged 17 by Ferguson before going on to score four goals in 14 first-team appearances for the Red Devils.
GettyFeguson signed Rossi for United before handing him his professional debut[/caption]
GettyThe Italian made 14 first-team appearances under Ferguson[/caption]
He would also win the League Cup during his time at the club before leaving for Villarreal in 2010 after loan spells with Newcastle and Parma.
It was during his six years in Spain that Rossi earned the nickname ‘Pepito’, and his farewell match has been dubbed ‘Pepito Day’.
After leaving Villarreal, he returned to Italy with Fiorentina before retiring two years ago aged 36 following spells at Genoa, Real Salt Lake City and Italian side SPAL.
Rossi’s career also saw him score seven goals in 30 caps for Italy including two strikes at the 2009 Confederations Cup.
Next month’s match will not be the first time Ferguson has returned to the dugout since leaving Old Trafford.
He previously made a comeback in 2019 for a United legends match against Bayern Munich.
The fixture saw the Red Devils win 5-0 as they marked the 20th anniversary of their 1999 treble.
