D. Ray Morton, 21st April 2014.
This morning, the internet has been flooded with reports that Manchester United owners, the Glazer family, are finally set to relieve David Moyes of his managerial duties at the club. The move comes after United's miserable showing against Moyes' old club, Everton, where they lost 2-0 yesterday afternoon. To add insult to injury, United's fierce rivals, Liverpool, took an enormous step towards securing the Premier League title with a victory against Norwich which leaves them five points clear at the top of the table.
Moyes' potential sacking comes as no real surprise to the Old Trafford faithful who have watched their team go from defending champions to the mediocrity of seventh place in the standings where even Europa League qualification is likely to elude them. Ryan Giggs is rumoured to be the man to take over as caretaker manager should the Glazers decide to do away with the Scot with four fixtures remaining.
Bookmakers are touting either Louis van Gaal or Jurgen Klopp to become the team's next permanent manager. Van Gaal will be available after the summer's World Cup after he steps down from his role as the Netherlands' national coach. Klopp is still under contract for the foreseeable future at Borussia Dortmund and hiring him would involve paying out up to €20m for his services. That would be a record fee spent on a manager should the move materialise.
Moyes' potential sacking comes as no real surprise to the Old Trafford faithful who have watched their team go from defending champions to the mediocrity of seventh place in the standings where even Europa League qualification is likely to elude them. Ryan Giggs is rumoured to be the man to take over as caretaker manager should the Glazers decide to do away with the Scot with four fixtures remaining.
Bookmakers are touting either Louis van Gaal or Jurgen Klopp to become the team's next permanent manager. Van Gaal will be available after the summer's World Cup after he steps down from his role as the Netherlands' national coach. Klopp is still under contract for the foreseeable future at Borussia Dortmund and hiring him would involve paying out up to €20m for his services. That would be a record fee spent on a manager should the move materialise.
Moyes' reign as United manager must go down as an unmitigated disaster. Signs were troubling from the start with early confusion over the appointment of backroom staff and transfer market activity. Sir Alex Ferguson had delegated his coaches with a lot of duties over the last few years of his lengthy managerial run. Moyes decided to do away with several noted coaches, such as Renee Meulensteen and Mike Phelan, and took on a role where he would be responsible for the day-to-day training himself. At a club the size of Manchester United, such a decision only served to confuse the playing staff.
The signing of Marouane Fellaini frustrated many United fans as they felt the £27.5m price tag was far too high for a player of questionable ability when he could have been signed for a lot cheaper had they approached Everton sooner in the summer when a clause in Fellaini's contract would allow him to leave for significantly less. Chelsea's Juan Mata arrived in January for a club record £40m and though highly capable, his impact has been subtle and his role in the starting XI was not clearly defined.
Moyes' appointment as United manager was not mystifying but it certainly was doubted by observers outside the club. He was hand picked by the departing Ferguson and fans were lead to believe that the 50 year-old would bring stability and more of the same cavalier-style football the Old Trafford faithful demanded. How they expected such a defensive-minded and reactive manager to provide such a playing style is now worthy of scrutiny.
Before Tottenham approached Andre Villas Boas in 2012, Moyes was amongst the names on a shortlist of managers who might replace Harry Redknapp. Chairman Daniel Levy decided not to hire the Scot on the basis that his preferred playing style was not attractive enough and would not fit in with "the Tottenham way". There were also doubts about whether he had a personality big enough to take over a club of their modestly ambitious stature. It is odd that the United board didn't ask themselves the same questions. Moyes' style has been found out at Old Trafford for not being at all like the fans wanted or expected.
Moyes' appointment as United manager was not mystifying but it certainly was doubted by observers outside the club. He was hand picked by the departing Ferguson and fans were lead to believe that the 50 year-old would bring stability and more of the same cavalier-style football the Old Trafford faithful demanded. How they expected such a defensive-minded and reactive manager to provide such a playing style is now worthy of scrutiny.
Before Tottenham approached Andre Villas Boas in 2012, Moyes was amongst the names on a shortlist of managers who might replace Harry Redknapp. Chairman Daniel Levy decided not to hire the Scot on the basis that his preferred playing style was not attractive enough and would not fit in with "the Tottenham way". There were also doubts about whether he had a personality big enough to take over a club of their modestly ambitious stature. It is odd that the United board didn't ask themselves the same questions. Moyes' style has been found out at Old Trafford for not being at all like the fans wanted or expected.
So the band-aid might be ripped off very soon and barely anyone can argue that it's premature. Manchester United will likely begin next season with a new manager and no European football. There should be money to spend, as up until a few weeks ago, varying rumours indicated that United might spend well over £100m in the summer, so this will very much be a clean slate for whoever takes the Red Devils' hot seat. As for Moyes, finding another high-level management job could be a monumental struggle.
