Fergie admits to pressure

Ferguson says he did not see his children grow up

Sir Alex Ferguson said the pressure on today's football managers was unbearable.

The Manchester United manager has admitted he is finally feeling the strain of 15 years in the Old Trafford hot-seat.

The 59-year-old has enjoyed an unparalleled run of success during his time at Old Trafford, winning the Premiership seven times and the Champions League in 1999.

But this season has seen United hitting the headlines for mostly the wrong reasons.

There is too much expectation, too much pressure - it has become very difficult for me to take

Sir Alex Ferguson

They have suffered a string of defeats, including Sunday's 3-1 loss against Liverpool, and have also had the controversial departure of Jaap Stam.

Ferguson told Italian sports magazine Guerin Sportivo: "I have been a manager for 28 years and the game has changed. It is infinitely more difficult these days.

"There is too much expectation, too much pressure. It has become very difficult for me to take.

"A guy like me is on the back pages every day and gets a microphone shoved under his nose even before he has left the pitch.

"I have been doing all this a very long time now and, always remember, it is Manchester United.

"Yes, we have won a lot and been very successful. But that is not the norm and people forget this," quotes The Sun.

Ferguson has also revealed that the chance to spend more time with his family was one of the main reasons for his decision to quit United at the end of the season.

The Scot admits that the hectic schedule a manager has to put up with has led to him seeing far less of his sons than he would have liked over the years.

Lost time

He added: "When I was at St Mirren, I ran two pubs as well as managing the football team.

"I would drop the kids off at school in the morning and not return home until late at night.

"I didn't see them grow up, but I did see a lot of young footballers grow up.

"That is why I think they see me more as a friend than a father.

"That is, perhaps, one of the big reasons why I am leaving. I hope I can make up for lost time."