Peter Powell/EPA
It’s over.
Trying to fill the shoes of Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United is an impossible task. When the legendary coach retired in 2013 after winning 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, and more F.A. and League cups than you can count, former Everton boss David Moyes was the unlucky man selected to fill the void.
His first season (and last) in charge of Manchester United was frustrating for fans and likely infuriating for Moyes himself, with United eliminated from contention in all competitions and on track to miss out on qualifying for the Champions League for the first time since 1995.
The frustration is over as United let Moyes go on Tuesday, 10 months into his tenure and 26 years and two months short of his predecessor’s reign. It’s expected that Ryan Giggs will take over as interim manager for United’s final three matches of the season. Giggs has made 671 appearances on the pitch for United since 1991 — appearing in 11 matches this season.
(Moyes, top left, and Giggs, center right.photo: Phil Noble/Reuters)
United’s statement was nearly as brief as Moyes’ tenure, thanking the Scottish coach for the “hard work, honesty and integrity he brought to the role.”
What fans at Old Trafford won’t thank Moyes for is United’s abysmal record in the Barclays Premier League this season. United sit seventh in the league, with a record of 17-11-6. To give you a sense of just how shocking United’s performance in the 2013-14 season is, this is the first time Manchester has lost 11 games in a season since the 1989-90. That’s nearly 25 years of excellence decimated in a year. This year is also the club’s worst home record since 1978.
Moyes’ failings didn’t just come on the field, mind you. He signed Marouane Fellaini to a $46 million contract this season. Fellaini has played in 18 games for United, scored zero goals, and has zero assists. Fellaini is a success in that he did in fact agree to join Moyes. Attempts to sign players like Cesc Fabregas, Leyton Baines, and Cristiano Ronaldo had previously failed. United’s ownership has promised a massive spending spree (upwards of $200 million) in the summer to atone for the previous year’s missteps. It reached a point where it seemed impossible to entrust Moyes with the responsibility of rebuilding.
(epa)
The collapse wasn’t all his fault mind you.
Moyes was left to man a team run the same way for 27 years under Ferguson. It’s a team filled with talent, but also egos. None bigger than that of Wayne Rooney. Rooney left Everton (Moyes former team) as a teenager under prickly circumstances. When Moyes was hired by United, Rooney made it known that he wanted to leave. Moyes signed Rooney to a long-term deal, and the striker has been in tremendous form all season.
Unfortunately, Moyes was unable to replicate his success with Rooney elsewhere. The heart of the defense, Nemanja Vidic, will leave Inter Milan when the season ends. Striker Robin van Persie has battled Moyes as much as he has injuries this season, while their relationship received constant scrutiny in the media.
It was never going to be easy for Moyes. You simply cannot replicate the success of a man who spent 27 years in your position in 10 months. However, you should be able to maintain it. Moyes took over the defending Premier League champions, was allowed to spend over $100 million to improve that team, and failed.
United didn’t stumble or slip this season. This wasn’t a year of growing pains. It was a complete and utter breakdown of the greatest soccer team in England and it only took 10 months to happen.
Trying to fill the shoes of Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United was an impossible task.
Filling the shoes of David Moyes will be much easier.
Jon Super/AP
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