So the worst kept secret in football is finally out. This afternoon, Manchester United officially announced that David Moyes will take over from Sir Alex Ferguson as the club’s new manager as of 1st July on a six year contract.
News broke earlier that Moyes had advised the Everton chairman, Bill Kenright, of his intention to move on after his contract came to an end in a few week’s time. Coupled with this, some bright spark at the Man U press office decided to ‘accidentally’ announce the hottest story in sports - on their Facebook page this afternoon - inviting fans to ‘send their personal welcome messages to new manager David Moyes’, perhaps prompting the club’s decision to formally announce the news. Red card for that employee, anyway.
The incoming manager has just released a statement saying: ‘It’s a great honour to be asked to be the next Manager of Manchester United; I am delighted that Sir Alex saw fit to recommend me for the job. I have great respect for everything he has done and for the Football Club.’
‘I know how hard it will be to follow the best manager ever, 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’.
There’s no doubt that the former Everton man will inherit a great squad but he’s also just landed the hardest job in football. How do you follow a legend? Roll on next season to find out!
Words: Scott Rubbathan
