NEVER one to be outdone by Kevin Keegan, Alex Ferguson yesterday revealed that he, too, intends to walk away from the pressures of management and step down at Manchester United.

Unlike his former Premiership title rival at Newcastle, however, Ferguson is giving plenty of notice: he says he intends to quit when his current contract expires in three years, so ending one of the game's most successful stewardships neatly at the millennium.

"I can see the finishing line," said Ferguson. "When this contract runs out I will be 58 and I can't see me continuing as manager beyond that."

But there will be no final exit to Miami for Ferguson. He plans to move "upstairs" at Old Trafford into an advisory position if given the chance.

This would leave the way open for his current deputy, Brian Kidd, to take over as manager, though he may find it as tough an act to follow as a succession of managers found replacing Sir Matt Busby.

Since taking over in November 1986, Ferguson has led United to three league titles, three FA Cups (including two Doubles), one League Cup and the European Cup Winners' Cup.

During that time, and on the back of this phenomenal success, United have gone from being a club that struggled to maximise their potential to become a fruitful, multi-million pound business empire and one of the richest clubs in the world.

As with Busby, the European Cup has now become Ferguson's holy grail, though winning it this season will not mean a reassessment to retire immediately. "What we achieve this season will have no bearing on the issue,", he said. "My position at this club won't be changing before the end of my current contract.

"I committed myself to Manchester United for a further three years when I signed this contract and I will definitely see it through.

"I have completed 10 years at Old Trafford and I am as ambitious now as the day I arrived. You never become indifferent to success, or at least I don't.

"Every single day is important and that is how I will view this job until the time comes to step down."

Ferguson did leave the door open slightly, however: "I have had it in my mind for some time that I would stand aside when I reached 58. But you never know for certain what circumstances will prevail three years down the line. Whatever happens in the future, though I intend to stay.