By John Sadler in today's Sun:

IT is a sombre lament we are hearing, now, from the man whose name is synonymous with the rousing tunes of glory.

But forgive Bobby Robson if he fails to join in with the high-pitched chorus that is accompanying Alex Ferguson into retirement from the stresses and strains of managing Manchester United.

While acknowledging the sincerity and accuracy of Ferguson's declaration that football management has denied him the right to watch his children grow up, that the game has changed, that the players hold the power and that expectations outweigh reality, Robson refuses to seek sanctuary from the torment.

Not now — just three months short of his 69th birthday — and not in the foreseeable future as he continues to steer Newcastle towards heights that were unimaginable on Tyneside a couple of years ago.

On the contrary, the white-haired, father-figure of the game sounded more like a man half his age, a starry-eyed relative beginner in the management game as his voice positively purred down the phone-line from Spain where he is enjoying a few days' break with his players.

He said: "I hear what Alex is saying and he's right with the observations he makes. But he made his decision to retire some time ago and now he's explaining the reasons why. Expectations are higher, these days — ridiculously so. The job is more difficult.

"It is harder than ever, if not impossible, to build a team for the future because of the influence of agents tempting players to move in the middle of a contract.

"And, yes, the job is disruptive to family life. We've all gone through that. I remember Bill Nicholson, the great manager of Tottenham, recalling the occasion he gave away his daughter on her wedding day. He said he stood there in the church and couldn't remember her growing up.

"I've been through it all, the ups and downs at good clubs, big clubs and in my time as manager of England. Expectations are no more intense than at Newcastle, believe me, but I just can't imagine the day I'll be retiring voluntarily.

"I'm still doing the training at Newcastle. Every morning. I would miss that. In fact I'd miss everything.

"I suppose the day I don't need to get out on the training ground will be the day I'll do what Fergie is doing. But it could be some way off."

Football is not a job or even a way of life to Robson. It is an addiction.

"I don't just enjoy it," he said. "I love it. I adore it. The drug is deep inside me and I have to get more.

"Maybe it's beginning to wear off a little for Alex, particularly after announcing his intention to retire.

"And things haven't gone quite as he'd have liked this season. It's easier when your team just keeps on winning. There are no problems, it's all automatic, you relish every moment.

"I suppose that when it goes a bit creaky and you are examined and scrutinised from all quarters you start to look at the bad aspects of the job and wonder if you need it any more.

"You have to ask yourself if you need the hassle because this profession is a hassle, you know. But at least Fergie has operated at the right end of the table for a long time.

"It's a lot harder, for instance, being where Derby find themselves at the moment."

Robson created attractive teams at Ipswich, led PSV Eindhoven to the Dutch championship, was a success at Barcelona and was so close to being a World Cup winner with England.

Now he has performed wonders in rebuilding Newcastle from the debris he inherited at St James' Park. The fruits of his extraordinary labours are illustrated by the current Premiership table showing Newcastle fourth from top, two places above United.

It is remarkable to remember, too, that Robson has overcome serious illness during his later years. He believes football played a significant part in that merciful recuperation.

He said: "I was told I was not to return to work for eight months but I was back in three.

"Once I'd got over the scare and undergone the operation I wasn't wary of the game. I needed it again. I needed it far more than I needed to be resting, taking things easy.

"I love working — with all that it brings. I'm a workaholic, I suppose Fergie's the same.

"I've had to be flexible, able to adapt to the big changes we've seen in the game. If you can't adapt, you'll fail.

"You can't keep players these days, for instance. At Ipswich we had so many who qualified for testimonials because they stayed 10 years.

"You won't see players sticking around one club for 10 years now. Nothing like it. Particularly with agents constantly reminding them how they can move on.

"Temptation is put in the way of players after two years of a four-year contract. That alone makes it hard on managers."

Robson, like Ferguson, is dismayed by the recent trend in which clubs have fired managers within a few months of the start of the season.

His anger was detectable when he said: "Three defeats, nowadays, and people start writing you off.

"They say you're on thin ice, one more game and it's curtains. That's crazy.

"Take those two lads at Southampton and West Ham recently — Stuart Gray and Glenn Roeder.

"Their teams played each other and you just knew that the losing manager would lose his job. Sure enough, young Gray was out.

"No job should carry that kind of pressure. That's savagery.

"Not that Fergie's had to worry about the sack. He's just decided that in all the circumstances, it's time to go.

"He wants more time for himself and his family and he has a close interest in horse racing. He's won all there is to be won.

"Can he achieve all that again? Hardly. He's probably said to himself 'I'll never repeat what I've already done so what's the point in trying?' So he's set his retirement date. I can't.

"I don't forsee that day. I suppose it will happen once I become an embarrassment to somebody at the club. Once people start to regard me as a bloody old-aged pensioner.

"I'll be conscious of it, I'll see the signs and I'll leave before they start questioning me.

"But at the moment I'm in great shape, enjoying every minute of the job and believe I'm doing it pretty well.

"I know the game, I'm comfortable handling it, I don't need the job for the money and nothing worries me any more.

"That keeps the pressure off a bit. If we lose, we've lost a game of football, that's all."

-- Anonymous, November 07, 2001

Answers

A Prince among men.

-- Anonymous, November 07, 2001

Doesn't sound like the burblings of a has been doddering owld git who should have been put out to grass years ago, as has been suggested in other quarters, does it ?

Half as sensible will do me, if I ever get to be as old as he is.

-- Anonymous, November 07, 2001

The man is a wonderful, loveable anachronism - a real gem.

When the time comes, he must be allowed to make a graceful, dignified exit from SJP - anything else would be unthinkable.

-- Anonymous, November 07, 2001

Amazing man.

-- Anonymous, November 07, 2001

We should already be thinking about which is to be the "Bobby Robson Stand"

-- Anonymous, November 07, 2001

I nominate the Leazes!

the fact that my ST is located there has no bearing on my nomination

-- Anonymous, November 07, 2001

The East stand should be the one. only one with no real name.

-- Anonymous, November 08, 2001

East Stand? I still refer to it as "the new stand"

-- Anonymous, November 08, 2001

Would that be the Popular Side by any chance, Geordie?

-- Anonymous, November 08, 2001

Aye... that's the one! Popular side was just before my time... honest!

-- Anonymous, November 08, 2001