Theodore Dalrymple is discussing the benefits of retirement. That’s apropos Sir Alex, but you don’t have to be interested in football for this. Dalrymple makes the following general observation:
There are few sensations more delightful than waking up in the morning in the knowledge that one does not have to get up if one doesn’t want to.
I can think of at least one thing that is more delightful. It’s knowing you don’t have to get up but wanting to. It means there are activities you enjoy more than postponing the start of your day.