London, Sep 19 (IANS): Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has revealed that the death of his sister-in-law played a big role in his decision to retire.

Ferguson announced his decision to step down as manager in May 2013 after being at the helm of Manchester United for 26 illustrous years during which he delivered the club's 20th English Premier League (EPL) title and 37 other trophies.

The 73-year-old Scot revealed that had it not been for the death of his wife Cathy’s twin sister, Bridget Robertson, he could still be in the hot seat.

"I definitely would have carried on. I saw she (his wife) was watching television one night, and she looked up at the ceiling. I knew she was isolated. She and Bridget were twins, you know," Ferguson told the Daily Telegraph on Friday.

Ferguson had wanted to retire in 2002, but his wife convinced him to carry on. But the former Scotland coach got a different response when he decided to step down in 2013.

"But when I told her this time I was going to retire she had no objection whatsoever. I knew she wanted me to do it," Ferguson said.