By Andrew Warshaw
April 22 – David Moyes, the man personally recommended by Sir Alex Ferguson to succeed him as manager of Manchester United, has been sacked after only 10 months in the job – the third shortest reign of any manager in the club’s illustrious history.
Moyes, who was always expected to find it tough going succeeding the legendary Ferguson as boss of one of the most iconic clubs in world football, lost his job after a far worse baptism than even the most diehard United fans could have imagined.
The defending Premier League champions have suffered an horrific downward spiral by their own high standards, failing to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 1995, an unthinkable scenario at the start of the season that ultimately ended the reign of the 50-year-old former Everton manager.
United have never had a reputation for sacking managers and even if they had dropped three places and finished fourth this season, it is likely Moyes would have survived given the massive task of replacing Ferguson. But seventh place, United’s current position, was too great a fall to save Ferguson’s fellow Scot – not only in terms of results but also because of the huge financial implications.
Moyes had signed a six-year deal with United but too many lame performances, including no fewer than 11 defeats, have been well below acceptable levels and the board finally lost patience after a 2-0 defeat at the weekend to Moyes’ former club, guaranteeing United’s lowest ever points tally in the Premier League.
Ironically, Everton have gone from strength to strength under Moyes’ successor there, Roberto Martinez, and are challenging for the top four.
Rumours were rife after the Everton result that Moyes was on borrowed time and United, whose global corporate image is crucial, confirmed his dismissal in a brief diplomatic statement, thanking Moyes for the “hard work, honesty and integrity he brought to the role”.
United veteran Ryan Giggs is to take charge for the final few games of the season, the club announced. Experienced Netherlands coach Louis Van Gaal, Borussia Dortmund’s extrovert boss Jurgen Klopp and high-flying Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone are three names already linked as possible long-term successors but United will take their time to make sure the next appointment is the right one.
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