Why David Moyes is the right man for the job

For generations, it has always been the extraordinary vision of a remarkable individual that paves the path of success, glory and silverware for a football club in desperation. Once in a while, a man walks into the doors and lifts the stature of often a neglected or under-performing club. Someone who defied all odds, believed in the cause and went on to form a team that would be remembered for generations to come is none other than Sir Alex Ferguson. Being the boss of Manchester United since 1986, Alexander Chapman Ferguson has achieved everything there is to achieve in the game of football. Born on 31st December 1941 to Alexander Beaton Ferguson and Elizabeth Hardie in Glasgow Scotland, Sir Alex couldn’t make it as a football player but did gain immense success with Aberdeen initially and then went on to Manchester United.

Since then, Manchester United under Sir Alex have dominated the Premier League era winning 13 league titles, 2 Champions League trophies and 5 FA cups. These are numbers that describe the amount of success the Red devils have achieved under the legendary Scott. The tragedy of football is that careers end and with Sir Alex a little ahead of 70 years old, announced his retirement from management on Wednesday, 9th of April 2013 to the disappointment of Manchester United fans. But understandably, it is the right time, as the great Scot himself said.

Replacing Sir Alex at the helm is not easy and hence it makes it extremely important to find the right replacement with the same arrogance, dominance and perseverance, which is almost impossible! Without a doubt there are top managers vying for the job, but the answer to the biggest question in football right now lies in Mersyside (the blue part of it, that is).

A few stats may prove the right way to begin. Comparisons between Moyes and Sir Alex at this point of time would be absurd, but a few facts about the Everton manager would be ideal. Firstly, David Moyes and Sir Alex are both Scottish and the cohesiveness that Scots share for one another is not unknown. Moyes has been elected as 2003, 2005 and 2009 manager of the year, which is a brilliant record for a manager of a club with extremely few resources. Beginning his reign in 2002, Everton qualified for the Champions League in 2005 and also the finals of the FA Cup in 2009. He is the third longest serving manager in the history of the league.

Apart from facts, let’s take a look at why David Moyes is the right man to be the next Manchester united boss. Point number one is that David Moyes has revolutionised Everton Football Club single-handedly. Everton might not have won as many trophies as they are capable of, but the present squad’s performances over the last two seasons shout out volumes about it. Look at the players he has developed: Leighton Baines, Fellaini, Mikael Arteta, Tim Howard, Steven Pienaar, Sheamus Coleman, Jageilka and the recent Leon Osman, who gained a national call up in the 32nd year of his life, all thanks to his manager who deployed him in a more central role this season. Man management is the pavement to a good managerial career and an eventual successful tenure at the club. Moyes, through developing average or above average players, has built a very attractive looking team on the ball which lies 6th on the table and at a point looked very strong contenders for the coveted 4th spot despite giants like Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham in the hunt.

Secondly, the style of football at the two clubs is absolutely identical. The 4-2-3-1 formation played by the Scot is more or less the same formation Sir Alex employed during his reign at united. With the fullbacks pushing forward and one central midfield player sweeping across the back line and striker holding his line, the football sides at the two clubs are extremely identical. The two managers give great importance to their fullbacks pressing forward and pressing hard, namely Rafael and Evra at Manchester United and Coleman and Baines at Everton. Moreover, the central midfielder anchoring the park through the middle is also a major similarity with ex-Man Utd player Darren Gibson at Everton and Micheal Carrick of Manchester United playing identical roles. Rooney plays in the hole at United and the same position is where Moyes employs Fellaini at Everton, the wingers providing the width and the lone striker being the poacher, with RVP at United and Jelavic at Everton. That is where Moyes wins over other suitors like Mourinho and Pellegrini. 1-0 to Moyes?

It is said that football teams are built by ideas, values, credentials and ethics. The two Scotsmen are believers of the same values. Hard work, commitment and discipline form the bedrock of their football clubs. Names like Juergen Klopp, Jose Mourinho and Manuel Pellegrini are stalwarts in the world of football. The legacies of these men are far more star studded than the Scotsman’s, without a shadow of doubt. But it is very important to appoint an individual who would place the interests of the club above every other entity, something that a certain Portuguese is yet to learn.

Manchester United, at this time, need a man with a no-nonsense ethic, a man who knows the league through and through. Mourinho would be the name on the lips of fans that would love to see some flamboyance at the touchlines at Old Trafford, which is understandable. However, after their superb 20th league title win, Manchester United need to find the perfect long term replacement with his head on his shoulders and a great work ethic. The daunting shadow of Sir Alex would always be cast on Old Trafford for generations to come. And with the presence of the Scot at the club as an the Ambassador, Manchester United need a man who would not let that fact intimidate or influence his on field decisions. Sir Alex has himself on numerous occasions, praised his friend’s managerial skills. Has the king named his successor subtly? He would have immense influence over the person who would succeed him at Old Trafford and that is where the scoreline reads 3-0 to Moyes. A Scot to replace a Scot? Sounds good.