Legendary ex-Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson opens up on the loss of his wife Cathy following her death aged 84 last year

Sir Alex Ferguson speaks candidly about his dealings with the loss of his wife Cathy in a rare extended interview.

The legendary former wife of Manchester United’s manager died at the age of 84 in October last year. She was a hugely popular figure at Old Trafford and her funeral was attended by several former players, including David Beckham and Gary Neville.

Sir Alex and Lady Cathy, as she was affectionately known, met in 1964 and married two years later. They were happily married for almost 58 years.

In an interview with the BBC, Ferguson spoke highly of Lady Cathy, saying that she had been the centre of the family until her death.

“Well, 58 years is a long, long time. She was a wonderful wife, a wonderful mother and a wonderful grandmother,” he said.

Sir Alex and Lady Cathy were married for almost 58 years after tying the knot in 1966

Lady Cathy was immensely popular at United and convinced Sir Alex to leave the club in 2001

Ferguson spoke openly about his loss in a rare interview with the BBC

“She was the leader of the band, there was no doubt about that.”

Lady Cathy is known for playing a major role in Ferguson’s success, making her the most successful manager in English football history.

The Scot won 13 league titles with United and helped the club become a powerhouse in the first two decades of the Premier League.

But it could all have turned out very differently as he would retire at the end of the 2001-2002 season.

However, United were beaten by Arsenal that year and Lady Cathy convinced Ferguson not to quit.

He added six more Premier League titles to his collection, and in 2008 he won his second Champions League trophy.

United have not won the league since Ferguson left in 2013, with the 82-year-old often watching from the stands as Manchester City dominated English football over the past decade.

Ferguson retired in 2013 after winning his 13th Premier League title with United

He has watched Pep Guardiola’s Man City dominate in recent years and admitted he misses management, especially the big European games.

Ferguson admitted he misses managing, but that over the years he has found a way to adjust to his new life.

When asked what life is like now, he replied: ‘Well yeah, I’ve been retired for 11 years now, so you have to find a way to adapt.

‘I miss it (management) sometimes. I think the first year after I retired I went to the European final and said to Cathy, “This is what I miss” – big games, the European games.

‘I went to most of the European finals then because I found something there that I could identify with, something that I would like to do every day.

‘Because these are the big events that United always has to be involved in.’