25 May 2013

Why appointing David Moyes was the easiest yet the most challenging job?



Last updated: 25/05/2013


Manchester United has finally unveiled its successor. His name is David Moyes, a former Everton Boss.


Let’s start off with some statistics and analysis-

· 8th May, 2013 will forever be remembered as a day when Sir Alex Ferguson finally stepped down as a Manchester United manager. This came off as a surprise as only recently he announced his plans to remain at the club for a bit longer.


· During his 26 year tenure, Fergie won 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League and 2 UEFA Champions League titles.  No manager till date has achieved this feat. That’s right: Ferguson has been the longest serving manager Manchester United has ever had. 
One question to be asked here is: Can David Moyes emulate Fergie’s form and perhaps surpass it?


·Ferguson is only the 3rd all-time British Manager to lift a European Cup more than once. The most recent European silverware being won in 2008, after defeating arch-rivals Chelsea in the Champions League final during the penalties. 
Will David Moyes be able to establish Manchester United in Europe?


· There are countless other achievements that Sir Alex has achieved in different forms e.g. Manager of the Month/Year. However, the most prestigious one from a club’s perspective is the one that will be talked about now.


Precisely speaking, it is the integrity and loyalty of a manager. Sir Alex has been one of the most consistent and disciplined manager in the history of football. The art of replacing such a personality is quite simply put: a mammoth task.

At the end of the day, the replacement should offer a similar skill-set and keep the club competitive. There are not many names that will echo in one’s mind; this managerial quality is perhaps even more important than winning trophies. Let us have a look at both the manager’s key player signings:

Some of the players working under the Ferguson era:

Peter Schmeichel (Denmark), Dwight Yorke (Trinadad and Tobago), Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (Norway), Paul Scholes (England), Roy Keane (Ireland), Eric Cantona (France), Ruud Van Nistelrooy (Netherlands), Nemenja Vidic (Serbia), Rio Ferdinand (England), Wayne Rooney (England) and more recently Robin Van Persie (Netherlands).

Sir Alex has been renowned for raising 6 great boys into the game of football. They were later termed as “Fergie’s Fledglings”: Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, David Beckham and Nicky Butt. They have benefited a lot under Sir Alex’s shear optimism, hard man management and leadership.

Some of the Key signings under Moyes’ era at Everton:

Louis Saha (France), Tim Cahill (Australia), Phil Jagielka (England), Leighton Baines (England), Phil Neville (England), Marouane Fellaini (Belgium). So obviously targeting low-priced talent.

After spending a long time with the manager, Marouane Fellaini has explained how unusual the atmosphere around the club has been recently. Marouane is optimistic that David Moyes will flourish at Old Trafford.

Here’s what he had to say about his ex-manager’s abrupt move:

‘It has been difficult, a very strange time at Everton in the last couple of weeks,’ said Fellaini. ‘It is Manchester United and everybody wants to manage that club, and he had the big chance, so everybody understands his decision.’
‘It was strange when he told us he was leaving. I don't think we were too upset - we were happy for him because he has ambition as well. He has worked 11 years at Everton and has done so well for this club, and now he has an even bigger challenge.’

It will be no easy road for Moyes. However, the new Manchester United manager’s strong statistical brain-power is expected to be carried on and embark him on the foundations of the football club.  




Fergie’s 26 years at United may have been up but he will certainly be overlooking David Moyes. Here’s hoping Mr Moyes avoids the “hair-dryer” treatment at any cost!
Good luck to the new Manchester United manager.
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