David Moyes' Red & White Army

David Moyes agrees a 6 year contract at Manchester United

Finally it has been confirmed, the worst kept secret since the notorious injunction scandal - David Moyes WILL be closing Moe's Tavern to take the reins at Old Trafford. The current Everton boss will step into the enormous shoes vacated, not by Sideshow Bob, but by Sir Alex Ferguson at the end of the season, following the announcement on Wednesday morning that Sir Alex would retire to the plush decor of the Manchester United board room.

(Above: Moyes (left) in deep
conversation with Sam Allardyce (right))

But is David Moyes the right man for such an esteemed and pressured post?

Evertonians will vouch for the stability and economic understanding that Moyes demonstrated during his 11 year tenure on Merseyside, and his departure from Goodison is likely to be met with the sort of anxiety their Manchester neighbours will be feeling about his impending arrival. Consistent top half finishes in the Premier League (averaging 8th), along with shrewd business off the pitch (would you expect anything else from our cousins north of Hadrian's Wall?), the perfect blend for a team whose financial situation under Bill Kenwright has always been a delicate balancing act.

But the removal of the perennial relegation threat, and the bridging of the gulf between Everton and neighbours Liverpool, has not been enough to satisfy all on the blue side of Stanley Park. The void in silverware brought about by profligate performances on the big stage and/or against the traditional "big 4" a constant bone of contention (in 43 away ties against the 3 big clubs, and Liverpool, Everton have won a grand total of zero). In addition, the Toffees rare excursions into Europe have ended more abruptly than an X-Factor[y] winner's career: -

- 2005/2006 Champions League Qualifying Stage
- 2005/2006 1st UEFA Cup Qualifying Round
- 2007/2008 UEFA Cup last 16
- 2008/2009 1st UEFA Cup Round Proper
- 2009/2010 1st UEFA Cup Knock-Out Round

*It is worth noting that included in the results above are a humiliating defeat at the hands of Dinamo Bucharest, and also a 3 - 0 thumping by Sporting Lisbon.

This lack of European success, and the deficiency in exposure and overall experience it has created, is something the Old Trafford faithful will scrutinise over the next few months; especially if Moyes' occupancy has a spluttering start (as Everton's seasons under his stewardship have tended to).

Sadly, and as controversial as this statement may be, Sir Alex's record will be forever tinged by European mishaps - having dominated domestically for 20 years, Manchester United have managed [just] two Champions League successes under the fiery Scot (The Cup Winners' Cup triumph of 1991 pre-dating their domestic superiority).

(Fergie couldn't be happier...
unless it was filled with scotch)

On a standalone basis, two victories in the world's premier club competition is a sensational achievement for a body who had only 1 previous success in 1968. However, when you consider that Chelsea and Liverpool each won a respective Champions League trophy during this period questions have to be asked; a matter exacerbated further when you consider that the last two decades are ill-thought of by those associated with Liverpool. Did Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson really 'make hay whilst the sun shined'?

United's near misses still linger on the terraces like the stale air in a care home; as I am sure they do with the outgoing manager.. cast your mind back to the following nearly moments (in no particular order; except chronological): -

• Borussia Dortmund 1997
• Monaco 1998
• Bayer Leverkusen 2002
• FC Porto 2004
• FC Bayern 2010
• 2 x Champions League Final defeats at the hands of Barcelona

In addition, there was this season's disappointing exit at the hands of Mourinho's Real Madrid; Sir Alex's post match reaction the first clear indication that his days in charge of the reds may be numbered.

Having now reached their 20th English League Championship, and comprehensively "knocked Liverpool off their [domestic] Perch", the aforementioned results again turn a spotlight on the clubs natural progression; to overhaul their bitter North-West rival's European record.

The appointment of a successor "cut from the same cloth as Sir Alex [Ferguson] and Sir Matt [Busby]", as Moyes is considered to be (presumably not just because he comes from Glasgow), is the continuation of a project that has seen extraordinary domestic achievement, a focus on youth development, and stringent financial budgeting; but with only a splattering of European glory. Is this enough for an entity that openly presents itself as 'The World's Biggest Football Club' ( presumably putting them on a collision course with the Venky's)?

Taking the above into account, focus may have shifted from national to European competition amongst many of United's fans, as it has amongst top players and much of the media as a whole - perhaps portrayed most tangibly by Arsenal's all out assault on 4th place each season. The installation then of a man with a European CV emptier than a Hollywood movie script begins to show an apparent shortsightedness on Manchester United's behalf - a domestic single-mindedness in an ever increasingly globalised game.

This issue is furthered by enquiries into whether brand 'Moyes' is appealing enough to the calibre of player United are, or ought to be, seeking to employ if they are to progress further in domestic cup competition and on the continent; the likes of Ronaldo, Lewandowski... Ali Dia. On numerous occasions, especially in the high profile, high pressure ties, the 1st XI have come up shorter than Danny DeVito (Chelsea, Madrid, City all this term); and I'm of the opinion that only elite players can rectify this insufficiency. Though the Premier League encapsulates much of the world, David Moyes is a relative unheard of in terms of European and global football, and this is sure to impact on recruitment.

Take Lewandowski as a working example: -
Having scored a stunning hattrick-&-one against Real Madrid in the Champions League Semi-Finals, Lewandowski has been courted by a number of Europe's elite clubs; Bayern, Chelsea and naturally United all heavily linked with him. But with Guardiola 'manager-in-waiting' at Bayern, and Mourinho likely to put pen-to-paper in a deal that will see him return to the club where "he is loved"; does Moyes have the clout to compete? Instinct tells me 'no'. Mourinho and Guardiola are hugely respected figures both with playing professionals and footballing stakeholders in general; the assumption being that silverware is guaranteed by them [albeit at any cost]. David Moyes is seen as a project, risk if you prefer, even by many who should be his most hardened backers.

Of those believers, polls in the lead up to his appointment indicate the majority will be from within the club's inner sanctum; Mourinho the apparent fans choice. This suggests Moyes will be allowed adequate time by those internally, but the acid test will be the fans reaction - a large portion of which will not remember seeing another face in the dugout.. not alone understand the difficulties facing the new man (spoiled as United fans have been under Sir Alex). If on field affairs do not run smoothly these issues could surface quickly and derail the new manager before he's even developed a taste for post match fine wines. Rumours of Phil Neville's impeding appointment as part of Moyes' backroom staff may help to alleviate a degree of this pressure however.

It is worth concluding by pointing out the glaringly obvious: - The appointment of David Moyes is not the rash, panic move of a desperate board, but the implementation of a long standing contingency plan. It is common knowledge that Sir Alex enjoys a strong relationship with David Moyes which has seen the elder statesman provide advice and counsel in the past. There may be numerous worries surrounding the appointment, a selection of which I have detailed, but in Sir Alex, David Moyes has an influential ally, and the prospect of a partnership between the two could be formidable.

In addition, the presence of numerous former players throughout the club, and a settled behind the scenes outfit from grass-roots to boardroom level, means all the infrastructure is in place for a seamless transition and the resulting success.

Expect a period of transition given the mass 'changing of the guard'...

1. Sir Alex Ferguson's Managerial retirement
2. David Gill's resignation as Chief Executive 
3. Paul Scholes' impending retirement take II 
4. and the probable exit of Wayne Rooney given his transfer request and the 2008 libel action between his publisher and Mr Moyes over comments made in Rooney's biography. 

....but these are factors any 'newbie', including Mourinho, would struggle to overcome. Patience may be required, but that might just be Manchester United's greatest attribute.

The king is dead (well he isn't), long live the king

@BobbyCowsill