Many United fans seem underwhelmed by the appointment of David Moyes as new Manchester United manager. The fact that he was the choice of Sir Alex Ferguson does not reassure some of them. They think that Sir Alex wanted someone in his own mould, not least a fellow Glaswegian.
Many United fans seem underwhelmed by the appointment of David Moyes as new Manchester United manager. The fact that he was the choice of Sir Alex Ferguson does not reassure some of them. They think that Sir Alex wanted someone in his own mould, not least a fellow Glaswegian.
The case against Moyes is his lack of European experience, the absence of trophies and the fact that he has never handled really big money or world class players. But there is no doubt that he helped Everton punch above their weight. He is meticulous in his approach to everything. It may be that he won’t intimidate officials as much as Fergie, so ‘Fergie time’ will disappear, but you can’t have everything. Moyes is the best British coach available.
Some United fans would have preferred Mourinho and fear that Chelsea have stolen a march over them that will handle them the title. But that is not a done deal yet. Guardiola went to Bayern Munich. There are other top European coaches, but they may not be the answer.
Legend has it that Sir Alex came within one match of being sacked. Moyes has a six-year contract. Let’s hope that fans give him a chance so that United does not become beset by instability.
Sir Alex turned the culture at United around. It was hard drinking culture when he arrived. He turned it into one of disciplined professionalism. He instilled a new culture, characterised by attacking football and the notion that the world is against United.
But for all Sir Alex’s great achievements, this is not just about agency, but also structures, the structures that Sir Alex put in place with others as I emphasised in my Sky News interview yesterday. The new manager will have a great support team in place and an excellent training and development programme, backed up by first class facilities.
Above all, United remains the leading global football brand with an unrivalled ability to turn recognition into income through its marketing team. Of course, transitions are never straightforward and Sir Alex is a big act to follow. Manchester City are trying to make up ground, but it takes time to build commercial structures. For a club with a great history, Liverpool are lagging behind.
There may be wobbles on the pitch for United, but from the point of view of the Barclays Premier League as a competition, the extra element of uncertainty adds to its attraction.