Chief Executive of Ryanair Michael O'Leary has said that he will retire in three years from his job of running one of the most successful airlines in the world.

“In certain respects I am our best salesman,” said the 48-year-old.  “But I’m also negative in that a lot of my antics detract from the fact that Ryanair has the youngest fleet of aircraft, the best punctuality record, delivers a terrific customer service," O'Leary told The Financial Times.

“I think you need me for the rapid growth and for the in-cost reduction initiatives, but once they’re all done you then need to hand over to somebody who’s a bit more respectful of politicians and bureaucrats, talks about caring about the environment and old people and f***ing jungles and fish in the sea and all that shite.”

Asked what he would do if he retired O'Leary admitted he would find it very hard. “I go to the Algarve (in Portugal)  with the family for two weeks, because I have to. And I can build the sandcastles with the children.You know, the sandcastle’s fine for the first five minutes, and after that it’s, ‘Oh Jesus, will someone come and rescue me!’ I’m praying for a crisis.”

As for close friends he says he has none  “My wife, occasionally. My children on a good day.”

He also claimed to hate the theater,to only go to movies when his wife dragged him there and to only enjoy horse racing, farming and football.