Has Jose Mourinho's availability brought about Sir Alex's retirement earlier than expected?

26 years. 39 major trophies. A stand to his name.

Sir Alex Ferguson has decided to call time on his career after ushering Manchester United to one final hurrah as they reclaimed the Premier League crown from rivals Manchester City.

Club sources earlier this week revealed that Ferguson has been booked in for a hip operation in the month of June which would force him to miss the early part of next season. However, for most of this year, both Ferguson and club towed a different line altogether with both saying that he intended to continue atleast for another year or two.

So, what changed in between?

I believe that Jose Mourinho's availability and desire to return to England has brought about Sir Alex's retirement a year earlier. Here's previewing Mourinho's likely arrival at Old Trafford along with that of some other potential candidates who have been touted around.

JOSE MOURINHO

Both the United board and Sir Alex probably waited to see the developments at Real Madrid. Their progress in the UEFA Champions League and Mourinho's 'will he won't he?' move has been the centre of all cynosure. Now that Real are out and Jose has indicated his desire to manage in a place where "he is loved" has opened up possibilities.

Jose's desire to take the Old Trafford job has been an open secret. Reports coming out from the club suggest that the successor has been in talks with Sir Alex for quite some time now. We all know that the 'Special One' shares a good friendship with the gaffer and the two managers hold each other in high regard.

Real Madrid played Manchester United in the Round of 16 in this year's Champions League. After United went out of the competition, losing 2-1 to Real Madrid in their home leg, Mourinho's comments had all the bearings of  someone who potentially saw himself managing the club one day.

For long, Mourinho's case for United has been sidetracked by some saying that he is not a long-term option and that he likes to do short spells of not more than 3 years. Well, this could very well be exactly that. Mourinho coming to United is definitely for a short spell, possibly a 3-year contract.

United's robust system put in place by Fergie will ensure that United remain contenders for the Premier League even with change of personnel. But, it is Europe where the bigger prize lies. And if ever there is a more qualified manager to try and deliver on that holy grail, it is the Portuguese.

Another thing that looks like a good match is that the current United squad plays a much more direct and efficient brand of football much like most of Jose's regular teams. Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich went in for an overhaul last year with the players that were bought as well as the managerial choices in an attempt to bring about a more flamboyant brand of football. Would Mourinho really be the ideal manager for such a system? Someone like Juergen Klopp is perhaps better attuned to such needs.

In addition, there is a very strong likelihood of this being a double swoop which brings not one, but two Portuguese stars to Old Trafford, both of whom are managed by Jorge Mendes. Cristiano Ronaldo may well accompany his current manager and return to England. Both of them are managed by football 'super agent' Jorge Mendes, who also happens to manage Anderson and Nani among others. Ushering in arguably his 2 biggest clients into the gates of Old Trafford could very well see him take Ando and Nani out of the club.

In the long-term it does appear that a United legend and one of Fergie's favorite sons, either of Bryan Robson, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer or even Ryan Giggs will take over the hot seat on a more lengthy tenure. In the meantime, Mourinho, a manager with the personality and credentials to match Ferguson's could well be endowed with overseeing a short phase of transition at Old Trafford.

JUERGEN KLOPP

Borussia Dortmund have reached the finals of the Champions League knocking out Mourinho's Real Madrid. It marks the culmination of a journey that began about 5 years ago for both the club and their manager Juergen Klopp. We might be seeing the end of a cycle at Westfalenstadion too and 'Kloppo' as he his referred to could be moving on to another assignment.

Klopp would be a strong second favorite after Mourinho. The German coach is very good in nurturing young talent as evidenced not only in his current stint with Dortmund, but also from his time as manager of Mainz earlier. Sir Alex in his time at Old Trafford has overseen the prominent rise of many a talented youngster from David Beckham to Cristiano Ronaldo and now Phil Jones. Klopp would be an ideal choice in further forwarding that ideology.

The Borussia Dortmund manager may also be inclined to leave as there is a very real possibility that Dortmund could fail to hold on to most of their key players. Mario Goetze has already signed for Bayern Munich and Robert Lewandowski's departure is imminent. Ilkay Gundogan, Mats Hummels and Marko Reus have also been linked with moves away from the Black and Yellow.

If it is indeed to be Klopp, it could represent a more long-term option than Mourinho and someone who would be entrusted with building up the next great Manchester United side. And, like with Mourinho, i believe that with Klopp too it could be a double swoop. Shinji Kagawa is already at Manchester United and Polish striking sensation Robert Lewandowski could well accompany Klopp through the hallowed gateways of Old Trafford if the German tactician does come on board.

DAVID MOYES

And what about the other Scotsman whose reported to be a strong favorite to succeed his legendary countryman? Moyes has long been touted as a possible replacement when Fergie did decide to hang up his managerial boots. He has been part of the Everton project for a long time and with minimal resources has ensured that Everton compete for European places every year.

He is also know to be a good man-manager, like the Gaffer, and someone who manages to get the best out of his players. What could go against him is his lack of European experience and his ability to manage the dressing room egos that abound at Old Trafford.

We're set for a very intriguing 48 hours ahead as Manchester United have announced that Ferguson's successor is to be named in that time frame. The footballing fraternity will be waiting with bated breath to see just who is in line to take over from the footballing institution that is Sir Alex Ferguson. The Scot has been known for many a master-stroke, his last one would surely not be any different.