Sir Alex Ferguson is convinced football management is becoming a more precarious occupation with each passing year.

Roy Keane has just quit as Sunderland boss, while Paul Ince, is now under severe pressure at Blackburn.

And with Howard Wilkinson, Alan Curbishley and Sam Allardyce, the favourite to replace Keane, currently out of work, Ferguson accepts job security is virtually non-existent.

“It is a very precarious industry,” said Ferguson.

“Very few managers last more than three or four years with a club nowadays and the lifespan of a manager is getting shorter and shorter.

“I count myself fortunate to spend so long at one club.”

Ferguson just hopes the Rovers board give Ince a chance to reshape the club.

“Mark Hughes left at the right time,” said Ferguson.

“He did a fantastic job there but a lot of players’ contracts were coming up, he had lost David Bentley, the same money was not available. The job had become a lot more difficult.

“I do hope Paul gets some backing. He needs time.

“Paul is a tough character, as I discovered when he was a player here.

“He always had something special about him.

“I think he will come through them.”