Sir Alex Ferguson has insisted he will never return to manage Manchester United.
And in an interview with a US television network, he revealed that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovic tried to hire him in 2003.
With his replacement David Moyes under increasing pressure after United's worst start to a Premier League season since 1989, it has been suggested Ferguson might be persuaded to come out of retirement to steady the ship.
But speaking to US TV network PBS, Ferguson said: "I'm not interested in managing again or getting myself worked up about Manchester United's results.
"You would be throwing your money down the drain if you put any money on me coming back as a manager. United are in good hands with David Moyes. He will be fine. He's a good manager.
"I made my decision. The timing was perfect. There is no way back for me now. I've got a new life.
"I want to go to the Kentucky Derby and the US Masters, the Melbourne Cup. I want to visit vineyards in Tuscany and France."
Ferguson left United at the end of last season after 27 trophy-filled years at Old Trafford. He insists he was never tempted to leave, but confirmed that when Russian billionaire Abramovich bought Chelsea a decade ago, he was approached.
"They used an agent to approach me when Abramovich first took over the club," he said. "And I said, 'No chance'.
"I always come back to this point - why would you leave?"
Ferguson, whose autobiography is due to be released later this month, also gave an insight into the managerial techniques that brought him so much success over his long career.
"Never hold a grudge, it's very important," he said, adding: "I always say to them (the team) at half-time, the last 15 minutes - throw the kitchen sink."
And in an interview with a US television network, he revealed that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovic tried to hire him in 2003.
With his replacement David Moyes under increasing pressure after United's worst start to a Premier League season since 1989, it has been suggested Ferguson might be persuaded to come out of retirement to steady the ship.
But speaking to US TV network PBS, Ferguson said: "I'm not interested in managing again or getting myself worked up about Manchester United's results.
"You would be throwing your money down the drain if you put any money on me coming back as a manager. United are in good hands with David Moyes. He will be fine. He's a good manager.
"I made my decision. The timing was perfect. There is no way back for me now. I've got a new life.
"I want to go to the Kentucky Derby and the US Masters, the Melbourne Cup. I want to visit vineyards in Tuscany and France."
Ferguson left United at the end of last season after 27 trophy-filled years at Old Trafford. He insists he was never tempted to leave, but confirmed that when Russian billionaire Abramovich bought Chelsea a decade ago, he was approached.
"They used an agent to approach me when Abramovich first took over the club," he said. "And I said, 'No chance'.
"I always come back to this point - why would you leave?"
Ferguson, whose autobiography is due to be released later this month, also gave an insight into the managerial techniques that brought him so much success over his long career.
"Never hold a grudge, it's very important," he said, adding: "I always say to them (the team) at half-time, the last 15 minutes - throw the kitchen sink."
