Football boss Ferguson to score £3M for wine collection

The collection consists of almost 75% of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, a French Burgundy which Christie’s said was the wine of the moment in terms of demand.

The wines will be auctioned in Hong Kong in May and London in June – 10% of the collection will then be sold online.

Ferguson said his interest in wine started when assessing potential hotels for Manchester United to stay at in Montpellier ahead of a European Cup Winners cup quarter final in 1991.

Right time to auction ​

He was advised by a waiter at the hotel to collect 1882 and 1885 wines. Having retired as Manchester United boss after 26 years in the role last May, he said now was the right time to auction off his collection.

“Taking an interest in wine allowed me to have an interest outside of the game – you have to have a side interest to distract you away from the intensity of the pressures of the job,”​ he said.

“All of a sudden I realised I’d got to an amazing amount of wine. I retired last year and thought this was a great time to sell it.”​

Ferguson is viewed as one of the all-time greatest football managers, having won 38 trophies in his time at Manchester United, including 13 Premier League titles and two UEFA Champions League titles.

He was knighted in 1999 for his services to the game in the Queen’s birthday honours.