Ferguson pays tribute as United chief exec David Gill step down

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has paid tribute to David Gill after the club's chief announced he will be

stepping down in summer.

Gill joined the United board in 1997 as finance director, stepping up to the chief executive role in September 2003, but will leave his position on June 30, 2013.

Executive vice chairman Ed Woodward will assume Gill's responsibilities and commercial director Richard Arnold will become the group managing director.

Enthused: Sir Alex Ferguson gestures to the crowd at half-time during the FA Cup tie against Reading

DAVID GILL'S TIME AT MAN UTD

David Gill joined Manchester United in 1997 as finance director before becoming the club's chief executive in 2003.

Gill was appointed vice chairman of the Football Association in October last year and was nominated as the FA's candidate in the upcoming UEFA Executive Committee elections.

The 55-year-old will stand down as chief executive on June 30 this year, but will remain a director at Old Trafford.

He said: 'I am looking forward to continuing my involvement on the club board.

'And I hope to be able to make a contribution to the game on a wider national and European level.'

Ferguson, who watched his side edge past Reading on Monday evening in an FA Cup victory at Old Trafford, said he has enjoyed working alongside Gill but admitted to having 'a million arguments' with the 55-year-old.

Ferguson told Manchester United's official website: 'I have been at United for over 26 years and for 23 of those years my boss has been one of only two men: Martin Edwards, who brought me to the club, and David Gill. I have enjoyed working with both.

'David has been a magnificent chief executive. Of course, we have had a million arguments, but I have always enjoyed them because I know that David has two great qualities: he is straight and he always puts Manchester United first.

'No disagreement is ever personal with him.

'He always wants the best for United, whether it's the players, the training ground or the staff.

'Him stepping down is a big loss to me but the fact that he is staying on the board encourages me that the reason for his departure is heartfelt, that he believes it is time for the club to move on.

Success: United celebrate their record 19th title in 2011 and (below) their 2008 Champions League triumph

'If I could have found a way of persuading him to stay I would love to have done that. But he has made his decision and I respect him for it.

'He has been, and will continue to be, a fantastic success for Manchester United. He has all the qualities of successful people engrained in him: energy, honesty, integrity, personality and
decision-making ability. I wish him well in whatever new challenges he will tackle in the future.'

Gill paid a tribute of his own to the Scot and the club.

Old and the new: Gill (left) pictured with Martin Edwards in 1997

DAVID GILL FACT FILE

1957: Born in Reading, August 5.
1997: Joins the Manchester United board as finance director in February, having previously worked for Price Waterhouse, the BOC Group, Avis, Proudfoot Consulting and First Choice Holidays.
2000: Appointed deputy chief executive at United.
2001: Promoted to group managing director.
2003: Takes over as chief executive at Old Trafford following the departure of Peter Kenyon to Chelsea.
2012: October - Appointed vice chairman of the Football Association.
2013: On February 20 he announces he will step down as chief executive of United plc on 30 June 2013, but will remain a director of the football club.

Upon announcing his decision to stand down, he said: 'It has been the greatest privilege to serve Manchester United for 16 wonderful years – the last 10 of which as its chief executive.

'I have worked alongside the finest manager in the history of the game and been part of what I consider to be the best club in the best sport in the world.

'It has been a very hard decision because I love this club and, as the fans’ banner says, it is, "more than a religion". I’ve experienced some incredible highs, such as the Treble in 1999 and the League and Champions League double in 2008, and lows, like losing the title with the last kick of the season last year.

'But that is what makes this club and this sport so compelling.'

Gill, who will remain a director at the club, was appointed vice chairman on the Football Association in 2012 and has been nominated as its candidate in the upcoming UEFA Executive Committee elections later this year.

He added: 'I am looking forward to continuing my involvement on the club board. And I hope to be able to make a contribution to the game on a wider national and European level.'