Martin Rickett/Press Association, via Associated Press
Alex Ferguson, left, and David Moyes, right, during a match between Manchester United and Everton last year. More Photos »
By SAM BORDEN
The breach left by Alex Ferguson’s retirement did not linger for very long, as Manchester United announced Thursday that it had agreed to terms on a contract with Everton Manager David Moyes, who will take charge of one of the world’s most famous soccer clubs beginning July 1.
Moyes, 50, was known to be Ferguson’s choice to replace him. Ferguson
and Moyes, who are Scottish, have had a warm relationship over the
years, with Ferguson at one point approaching Moyes about potentially
joining United as an assistant.
Now, Moyes will attempt to fill the significant void left by Ferguson,
71, who announced his retirement Wednesday after winning 38 trophies
over nearly 27 years with the Red Devils. Ferguson will remain with
United in an executive role, and he was a part of the selection process
in picking Moyes, who agreed to a six-year contract with the club.
“We unanimously agreed on David Moyes,” Ferguson said in a statement.
“David is a man of great integrity with a strong work ethic. I’ve
admired his work for a long time and approached him as far back as 1998
to discuss the position of assistant manager here. There is no question
he has all the qualities we expect of a manager at this club.”
One of the qualities United was surely seeking was continuity after
Ferguson’s lengthy run, and Moyes — who spent 11 years at Everton, the
Merseyside club that rivals Liverpool — is expected to provide it.
United chose Moyes over other more high-profile managers, like Real
Madrid’s José Mourninho, who had been rumored to be candidates.
“I am delighted that Sir Alex saw fit to recommend me for the job,”
Moyes said. “I have great respect for everything he has done and for the
football club.”
Moyes did not win a trophy while at Everton, though he earned accolades
for consistently guiding the team to the upper end of the Premier
League. He also took Everton to the qualifying stages of the Champions
League in 2005 and the team reached the final of the F.A. Cup in 2009
before losing to Chelsea.
Among the many changes Moyes will encounter at United is a seemingly
limitless budget. At Everton, Moyes often sold his top players —
including a young Wayne Rooney, to United, in 2004 — while at United he
will figure to continue the club’s penchant for seeking, and signing, as
many stars as is necessary.
The pressure on Moyes will be intense. He began his playing career at
Celtic and completed it at Preston North End (which he also managed),
but nowhere did he face as much scrutiny as he will in his new job.
Ferguson will leave having won his 13th Premier League title this
season, and Moyes will be expected to produce similar results. He will
also have to deal with personnel issues, such as Rooney’s reported
desire to leave the club, as he attempts to guide United to expected
glory.
“I know how hard it will be to follow the best manager ever,” Moyes
said. “But the opportunity to manage Manchester United isn’t something
that comes around very often and I’m really looking forward to taking up
the post next season.”