Sir Alex Ferguson turns 70 later this year and once again, there is talk of who will replace him in the Manchester United hot-seat. Guest author Mark Woolley reckons David Moyes is the man for the job…
At the eleventh hour on transfer deadline day, David Moyes lost one of his most influential lieutenants in Mikel Arteta. The Spaniard, having made 173 appearances for Everton, was lured London by the prospect of filling compatriot Cesc Fabregas’ boots at Arsenal. For Evertonians the summer up to that point, had been a quiet one. Understandable given the club’s financial footing, yet the final day had much in store. James Vaughan, Jermaine Beckford and Yakubu departed for Norwich, Leicester and Blackburn respectively. Dutch midfielder Royston Drenthe from Real Madrid and Argentine striker Denis Stracqualursi were brought in on season-long loans.
Everton claim the title of the only Premier League club not to spend money this summer. Nevertheless success on a shoe string is customary with the Toffees finishing eighth or better every season since 2006/07. Moyes’ tenure, which has seen encounters with both European competitions, has been underpinned by stability. In nine-years of service, the three times LMA Manager of the Year has become the fourth longest serving manager of the English league clubs.
At the summit of the Premier League the story is similar yet totally different – a club winning countless trophies thanks to a long serving manager. However by contrast, Manchester United announced pre-tax profits of £29.7 million last week, thanks in no small way to their Premier League triumph and a run deep into the Champions League. Commercial revenues for the first time broke the £100 million mark as the Old Trafford club continues to strengthen it’s already huge global appeal.
On the field, a fresh crop of youngsters have started the season in the Champions starting line-up; Tom Cleverly, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and prior to a hamstring injury, Danny Welbeck. With such faith placed in youth, injury plagued Owen Hargreaves, deemed worthy of a contract by Manchester City, was released despite an offer to play for free.
The blue half of Liverpool has itself seen the emergence of youth. Impressive displays from 17 year-old Ross Barkley have come with the reward of an England under-21 debut in the 4-1 win over Israel on Monday night. He comes as much encouragement to a set of fans that have witness over £450 million spent the sides around them this summer. Jack Rodwell and 2011 PFA Young Player of the Year nominee Seamus Coleman need to continue their bright starts to this season if Everton are to maintain the status quo in an ever more competitive Premier League.
The league’s longest serving manager Sir Alex Ferguson is well known for bringing through generation after generation of young stars. Eventually however, the 69 year old will step aside. Much-fancied Jose Mourinho boasts an impressive and successful record with a number of clubs; but that is a problem. Having been at the helm of six different clubs since 2000, questions remain over whether ‘ The Special One’ have the longevity to bring a club prolonged success. And unlike former United assistant manager Steve McClaren who is currently rebuilding his reputation in Championship with Nottingham Forest despite winning the Eredivisie with Dutch side Twente; David Moyes has no such bad history. Moyes has shown all the necessary qualities needed for the job; experience, longevity, an ability to nurture youth and having been restricted financially, he knows the importance of spending wisely.
Whilst many at United continue to look for commercial growth in markets far and wide along with managing the launch of the club on the Singapore Stock Exchange; when it comes to replacing Sir Alex Ferguson the man for the job is much closer to home.
Mark Woolley is an Exeter City fan and writer on football across the European continent. You can follow him on Twitter @Mark_Woolley.
I agree with the suggestion that David Moyes is an ideal candidate to take over as Manchester United manager when the time comes and it is because of the many qualities and reasons you have mentioned.
He has the experience, track record and tactical no-know to do a fine job as well as being able to command respect from whichever players would be part of the squad should he take the reigns.
However, the big thing for me is his lack of ego. Jose Mourinho plays up to being ‘The Special One’. He is his own coach and he does things his own way. Right now, Manchester United is a well set-up club that runs smoothly, thanks to the prolonged infrastructure put in place by Sir Alex Ferguson. I feel confident that David Moyes wouldn’t try to reinvent the wheel if he were placed in charge of the club. He’d simply go about continuing the excellent work of SAF rather than trying to implicitly put his stamp on things. I imagine, eventually, he’d evolve the team and tactics to suit him but it wouldn’t be an overnight revolution. If Mourinho took the job, you just know he’d try to overhaul matters in just a few weeks.