"?Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has expressed regret over announcing his retirement in 2001, claiming that it was a big mistake, via the "?Mirror.
Of course many would disagree, as the Scot has done sillier things, like actually retiring in 2013 and leaving the Red Devils in their current laughable position. But he clearly feels that his decision back then was worse.
Ferguson had been in charge of United for 15 years at that point, and made it known, in the summer, that the upcoming season would have been his last.
"The biggest mistake I made was announcing it at the start of the season," said Ferguson.
"I think a lot of them had put their tools away. They thought, "?Oh, the manager's leaving', but when I changed my mind in the January, I started thinking about United again and how we could get back on top."?
United finished the season in third place, 10 points behind Premier League winners Arsenal. They were also dumped out of the FA Cup in the fourth round, also exiting the League cup in the third round.
The club found it hard to bring players in, as the managerial uncertainty caused lots of hesitation. Ferguson would renege on his decision, remaining with the club a further 11 years and winning
"It's important to listen to your staff," he added.
"In 2005, that period we didn't win anything, just before that I had an attempted retirement and that affected everyone.
"It was a mistake and my wife and my three sons changed my attitude towards it and I started to think again.
"After that is when Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo came to the club and we had to regenerate everyone.
"The youth side of it, the scouts, we'd gone to sleep.
"Strangely enough, the period from there on has been glorious "? it's been fantastic with the numbers of league titles we won. The moments you don't win anything register very strongly."?