By World of Sport (original post from Yahoo! Eurosport can be found here)

The announcement of Alex Ferguson's retirement came as a huge surprise to the world of football.

But even as fans' tears were flowing, some were already beginning to question the timing of the announcement: has the legendary Manchester United manager had his hand forced early in order to get Jose Mourinho in as his successor?

Ferguson has openly talked about his retirement for some years now, though for as long as anyone can remember he has referred to it as being two or three years away.

Yet the time has now come - and the game is reeling. But what about the timing?

Is it simply a case of Ferguson retiring now in order to say goodbye to the fans at Manchester United's final home game of the season on Sunday?

Or is there something else at work?

The fact is that there are just two prime candidates for the job - Jose Mourinho and David Moyes - and both are looking for new jobs at the moment.

Mourinho has had a

Paul Parker, Andrei Kanchelskis and Peter Schmeichel with then-manager Alex Ferguson (Getty)

By Paul Parker (original post from Yahoo! Eurosport can be found here)

There was never going to be a good time for Sir Alex Ferguson to retire.

There would never be a time when the news would not shock everyone – not just Manchester United fans, but the entire footballing community, the entire world.

Some would never admit it, but even fans of United’s greatest rivals over the Ferguson years – the Leeds United fans, the Chelsea fans, the Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City fans – they all respected Sir Alex. It’s as simple as that.

The one thing that springs to mind which football will miss most once Fergie goes is his man-management. It’s something he could perhaps try to pass on to an extent, but there will never be another man-manager like him.

It’s hard for me to even describe exactly what made him so special, but it’s something you notice when you see it with your own two eyes. He knew how to handle players of all varieties, from the superstars to the journeymen, and had a

By World of Sport (original post from Yahoo! Eurosport can be found here)

Sir Alex Ferguson might have announced his retirement but his legacy will last considerably longer than the 26 years he spent in charge at Old Trafford. It's not just the trophies that Fergie will be remembered for though. Infamous for his withering put-downs to journalists, and fierce loyalty to his players, the man from Govan has had plenty to say whilst building his dynasty.

Here we look at some of the quotes that have made Ferguson compulsive viewing during his time at Old Trafford.

ON LIVERPOOL

"My greatest challenge is not what's happening at the moment, my greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool right off their f***ing perch. And you can print that."

ON THE RUN-IN TO THE CLIMAX OF THE 2003 SEASON

"They [Arsenal] have a replay against Chelsea and if they win it they would face a semi-final three days before playing us in the league. But then they did say they were going to win the Treble, didn't they?

World number one Serena Williams could be playing in Singapore next year -- if she holds on to her ranking. (AP Photo)

After the F1 Grand Prix, HSBC Women’s Champions and Barclays Singapore Open, Singapore can now add the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Championships to a growing list of elite sports events held on the island-state.

Come October 2014, the world’s best eight female singles and doubles tennis players will descend on Kallang’s Singapore Indoor Stadium to do battle at what is the grand finale to the women’s season – with a record prize kitty of S$8 million at stake.

At the moment, the top eight in the world reads like a who’s who of female tennis stars: Serena Williams (No. 1), Maria Sharapova (No. 2), Li Na (No. 5) etc.

On top of that, the 10-day tennis extravaganza is set to be jam-packed with concerts, meet-the-fan sessions and coaching clinics – think the usual F1 craziness in Singapore come late September but over a week-and-a-half.

The Republic had to fend off competition from 42 countries over a year-long tender process, and now follows in the footsteps of previous host cities

Singapore fans react with disbelief at Sir Alex Ferguson's sudden decision to quit. (Reuters photo)

Shock.

Disbelief.

Sadness.

Manchester United fans in Singapore were stunned by Sir Alex Ferguson's announcement on Wednesday that he was set to step down at the end of the season.

The 71-year-old, who's been in charge of Old Trafford for the last 27 years, is the most successful manager in the history of the British game.

[GALLERY: Who will replace Fergie?]

Singapore Red Devil fan, Edwin Lim, told Yahoo! Singapore, "I'm sad… But it is time for a change. I felt we have been a bit jaded the last few seasons. (With a) new coach (will come) new ideas, hopefully after a transition. We can be as successful or even better."

"My first choice for a replacement is Pep Guardiola, Rafa Benitez is second," said the polytechnic lecturer.

Former Barcelona coach Guardiola has already signed on to manage Bayern Munich in the new season.

Another die-hard Red Devil, business development manager Praveen Velu, 33, was also dazed.

"I'm too upset to think about anything now. I can't believe it," he said.

When pressed

By World of Sport (original post from Yahoo! Eurosport can be found here)

AIK goalkeeper Ivan Turina's memory brought a stadium to a standstill as his tragic death was marked in touching fashion.

Turina died at the age of just 32 on the night between Wednesday and Thursday.

Croatian Turina, the father of one-year-old twins, was known to have a congenital heart problem which he told the club about when he signed for them in 2010.

Turina's wife is expecting the couple's third child.

The Swedish side were playing their first game since the news, against IFK Gothenburg, and as the 27th minute of the match approached, both teams stopped playing and broke out into applause for Turina, who used to wear the number 27 shirt.

As part of the tributes, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Luka Modric (a former team-mate of the Croatian back at Dinamo Zagreb) gave a video message which was played out to the crowd before the game.

Fans applauded, chanted and cheered as Turina's picture appeared, while a sea of

By Motorhead (original post from Yahoo! Eurosport can be found here)

Ever see a Formula One steering wheel and wonder what the hell all those buttons are for?

Well in the above video Lewis Hamilton gives a 'steering wheel masterclass' with an in-depth look at how he drives his Mercedes Formula One car.

As Lewis explains there are an amazing 26 buttons and switches that he is in control of out on the track.

Kind of makes Formula One looks like the world's most complex computer game really – doesn't it?

By World of Sport (original post from Yahoo! Eurosport can be found here)

Bookmakers have slashed odds on Everton manager David Moyes joining Manchester United in the summer.

The Everton manager is out of contract at the end of the season and Paddy Power slashed his odds on becoming next Manchester United from 7/2 to 1/2 favourite after what they called a "flood of overnight bets."

BREAKING NEWS: We have cut David Moyes into 1/2 from 7/2 to be next permanent Man Utd manager after a flood of overnight bets! #MUFC #EFC

— Paddy Power (@paddypower) May 6, 2013

Meanwhile, Victor Chandler said that Moyes was more likely to start next season at Manchester United than Everton – possibly as Sir Alex Ferguson's number two before taking over as manager at a later date.

David Moyes now 6/4 from 20/1 to be at Man Utd next season, amid rumours he'll join as Fergie's assistant #MUFC bit.ly/ZR9hYE — Oddschecker (@Oddschecker) May 6, 2013

At 2pm on Monday they offered 6/4 that Moyes would begin next