Ferguson, Carragher prepare to bow out
Updated: 2013-05-19 07:53
By Agence France-Presse in Liverpool(China Daily)
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The Premier League will bid farewell to a host of high-profile characters when the 2012-13 season concludes on Sunday, with legendary Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson and Liverpool stalwart Jamie Carragher among the figures taking their leave of the sport.
Ferguson will take charge of United for the 1,500th and final time at West Bromwich Albion, where veteran midfielder Paul Scholes could also make his last appearance for the champions after simultaneously announcing his retirement last week.
An 87th-minute goal from Rio Ferdinand against Swansea City last weekend gave Ferguson victory in his final home game on an emotional afternoon at Old Trafford, and he is desperate to bow out with another win at The Hawthorns.
"Now the match on Sunday, 1,500 games, it has been quite incredible," said the 71-year-old Scot. "It could not be more difficult. West Brom have done terrific this season and they (United's players) will want to win this one more than last week's, even, so hopefully we can do that."
Ferguson's successor-in-waiting, David Moyes, will end his 11-year association with Everton at Chelsea, who on Wednesday claimed a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Benfica in the final of the Europa League.
Moyes, who will take over from Ferguson on a six-year contract on July 1, said he was grateful to the players who have played under him.
"The memories I've got from Everton are going to live with me for a long time," he said. "The character the players here have had is great. All the players in my time here have been great.
"I often think how lucky I am to not only have great players, but great men. For that, I thank them all."
The trip to Stamford Bridge will also mark Everton captain Phil Neville's last game for the club, although he will not play due to injury.
Another United old boy, Michael Owen, will hope to feature in Stoke City's game at Southampton after announcing that he, too, will retire at the end of the season.
Liverpool's fans, meanwhile, are preparing to say goodbye to long-serving defender Carragher, who is set to make his 737th and final appearance at home to Queens Park Rangers before taking up a position as a television pundit next season.
Asked how he would like to be remembered, Carragher said: "A decent lad who had a go. Everyone has an opinion as to whether you are a good or a bad player - as long as everyone thought I put a shift in, home or away.
"I've not been a flash type of fella. As a player you improve with experience, but I've been the same sort of player (throughout his career)."
Carragher will captain Liverpool and the club has also announced he will be honored with a guard of honor from both teams before the game.
With the title race and relegation battle having already concluded, the only source of real suspense on the final day will be the tussle for Champions League qualification.
Tottenham Hotspur hopes to pip Arsenal to the fourth and final qualifying place, but to do that they must win at home to Sunderland and hope their north London rivals drop points at Newcastle United.
(China Daily 05/19/2013 page7)