Ferguson was offered Inter Milan job

Alex Ferguson received two offers to coach Inter Milan, the Manchester United manager revealed in an interview with Italian magazine Guerin Sportivo published on Tuesday.

Ferguson also said that his commitment to coaching had robbed him of the chance to see his sons grow up, adding that he believes France are still the best side going into next year's World Cup.

The Scot, who will retire as United manager at the end of this season after nearly 16 years at Old Trafford, has never worked outside Britain.

Asked why he had never coached in Italy he said: "Twice I had offers from Inter. But when I was not famous no-one wanted me. When I started to win I was here at Manchester United and frankly I thought it would be very difficult to improve, so I stayed".

Ferguson said he felt it was the right time to quit given the increased pressures in the game.

"Why am I quitting? Because I have been coaching for 28 years, because football has changed a lot and today it has become infinitely more difficult.

"There are too many expectations, too much pressure. For me it has become unbearable. On December 31, I will be 60 years old. There are a lot of things I still want to do and it is time to give my energies to them," Ferguson said.

Asked what his three decades in management had not given him, Ferguson said: "They haven't given me my sons. I have three, all boys. My memories of when they were lads stop in the morning when I dropped them off at school.

"There was nothing else. I didn't see them grow up while I have seen a generation of young footballers grow up. That is what I have missed. And maybe above all this is what makes me go now. To see if I still have time to get something back".

Looking ahead to the World Cup, Ferguson said that holders France remained the favourites, with Italy likely to provide their biggest challenge.

"The best squad are still France, but the Italian players are those who have the best chance to get to the top. They have more personality, more professionalism," Ferguson said.

Ferguson believes next year's finals will be the perfect showcase for Italy's Francesco Totti.

"I think it will be Totti's World Cup," he said. "I consider him by far the best. Then there is (Patrick) Vieira for France.

"Spain have a lot of a lot of interesting youngsters but for me they are not ready yet with the exception of Raul. Then (David) Beckham and (Michael) Owen who are now at the right age. I don't see any others to be frank".