This is huge. I can understand Paul's need to retire due to his age. But a band of 50-somethings "launching a new phase of their career" with a new young manager just seems silly at this point. I'm not a huge fan of McGuinness, but there's great history and respect there between him and the band and I wish he could have stuck it out for one more album and tour. That may be all U2 has left.
Yeah, it would've been fitting if the five of them had ridden off into the proverbial sunset together. I always assumed they would. It would be terrible if U2 decided to "cut him loose" in favor of a younger manager who is more clued-in with the modern market. If that turned out to be what actually transpired, my respect for them would plummet. But we'll probably never know. In any case, I hope McGuinness enjoys his retirement. Who knows where U2 would've ended up without him.