This Day in History: 2023-08-08

Nr. 494

SIR MATT SAYS GOODBYE – AGAIN (1971)

With a wave and to the deafening cheers of the adoring faithful, Sir Matt Busby stepped down for the last time as Manchester United manager. It was a case of déjà vu for Busby as two years earlier – after 23 eventful years that included the Munich air crash and the 1968 European Cup win – he had handed coaching duties to Wilf McGuinness. His retirement was brief as in December 1970, with McGuinness sacked, United’s directors invited him to take over again until the end of the season. After his second retirement Busby was a club director until 1982. He died in 1994.

Sir Matt had seen it all with United – tragedy at Munich to triumph in Lisbon. The road leading to Old Trafford is named in his honour.