Sir Alex Ferguson is "a great loss," says Harry Redknapp QPR boss Harry Redknapp says outgoing Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson "will be a great loss to English football." Ferguson, 71, will retire at the end of season after 26 years in charge and will be replaced by David Moyes. Redknapp said: "Sir Alex has had a massive influence on so many managers. He's achieved so much. Davey is a great boy, a top manager. It's good that a British coach has got the top job. Moyes will start at Old Trafford on 1 July after signing a six-year contract on Thursday and leaves Everton after 11 years in charge. West Ham manager Sam Allardyce called Moyes "the perfect candidate" for the United job, and anticipated an emotional atmosphere when he takes the Hammers to Goodison Park on Sunday for Moyes' final home game in charge. I hope their crowd show their appreciation for him. You can't do anything but applaud him for what he's done in 11 years at Everton," Allardyce said. We'll go into the game as professional as ever, in terms of it being David's last home game it'll be emotional for him. He'll face the challenge head on. It's one of the biggest jobs in club football.