[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

I see what you mean, Ska'd.
It would seem to be an unusual step - a demotion in fact - and I'm not sure that BD would've accepted, say, Head of Academy.
But it would be nice to think that that, or something similar, was offered.
I'm not sure that he wouldn't be respected in the same way though. I think he just has that quality in bucket loads.

Liverpool did it all the time, Busby / Ferguson at MU PlePleat at Spirs Taylor at Watford. As long as it's handled correctly it shouldn't be a problem.

Neither Busby or Ferguson were sacked as manager, they retired at the end of an illustrious career. Busby then became a director of the club: a promotion, not a demotion.

Graham Taylor left Watford twice of his own volition, the second a theoretical retirement. He came back of his own accord years later, again as a director. They didn't have him coaching kids or scribbling press releases.

David Pleat was sacked by Spurs and had to leave. It was over ten years later when he returned... as a director of football, which again represents an overall promotion. I refer you to my previous post.