Start of New Era at Manchester United after Sir Alex Ferguson
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| Sir Alex Ferguson walks into the Retirement |
After 27 years at helm of the Old
Trafford & winning 38 Trophies, Sir Alex Ferguson decided to put an end to his
journey as Manager of Manchester United by retiring at the end of 2012-2013
season. Though the decision came as surprise to everyone but this was
inevitable as he is already reached into his 70’s. By his own admission, Sir
Alex have mentioned few years back that he won’t be continue by the time he
entered in his 70’s. But emergence of first Chelsea & then Manchester City
posing as a serious challengers pushed Sir Alex to continue his hunger for more
success and in a process knocking Liverpool off their perch and bagging 20th
English Title for United in May 2013 and it look like Sir Alex will continue
for another 2 or 3 years.
But sudden decision by Sir Alex to
retire is taken up by as a surprise by many Die heart fans of Red Devils
including me, and then came the big question in mind of everyone of who will
replace the Legend. Many names are thrown into the Ring; However the Management
of Manchester United including the Sir Alex Ferguson knows that none of these
Personalities are Ideal for a Club who values its belief more than anything. It
wasn’t easy for any Manager to step up in the big shoes and continue to build
on the foundation which was already in place. It was tremendous challenge for
New Manager, not only continue the Marching of the Reds in Domestic Circuit but
also conquering the European Competition. Its look like never ending process to
appoint the New manager, but to the surprise of many; it took just the less
than a week to announce the New Manager and name come forward is David Moyes.
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| David Moyes on his way to greatness |
David
Moyes like his predecessor is a Scottish, who had fantastic spell of 11 years as a Manager of Everton FC in England
in a process winning the League Manager Association’s Manager of Year award
thrice (2003,2005,2009) which is 2nd to Sir Alex Ferguson who have
won the same award four times (1999,2008,2011, 2013). Though David Moyes never
won a Single Trophy at Everton, But under David Moyes leadership, Everton have finished
in the Top 8 of English Premier League for 7 times in last 8 years. He also contributed
in a successful qualifying of Everton in a Champion League in 2005 and guiding
Everton in a FA Cup Final in 2009 in a process defeating Manchester United in a
semi final. However this valuable contribution doesn't earn him the Biggest Job
in the England and replacing the Legend of all time.
The major factor that contributes
to his favor was the way in which David Moyes utilized limited resources to get
the maximum output. After taking charge of Everton in 2002, he changes the
fortune of club who had just survives relegation. But under the stewardship of
David Moyes, Everton have become the elite member of Top 6 in EPL by the year
2013. Unlike his counterparts, He didn't have the Top players in his armory. He
usually counts on the player who used to play in different positions
efficiently. He has effectively managed to use the Tall Belgium Fellani as
supporting striker to fill up for the drying tank of goals. His eye for talent
which counts less fortune is well known. In 2004, when Wayne Rooney decided to
swap Everton for Manchester United in whooping 28 million pound; David Moyes
brought the Tim Cahill to replace outgoing England International in just 1.5
million pound and invested remaining money in buying players for other
positions and youth academy. The Marquee buying Tim Cahill then goes to become
Everton Club Legend. He have successfully converted young bright talents of
Everton youth academy into the Regular starter in English Premier League like
Jack Rodgwell (Manchester City), Seamus Coleman (Everton).
Real
challenge for David Moyes at a Manchester United is to continue the legacy of
the Sir Alex Ferguson. He got the very big and powerful squad which is full
with star studded players which are assembled by his predecessor Sir Alex over
the years. He has to massaged the Egos of this star studded player and their
high expectation which won’t be same as he faced at Everton. He needs to
successfully fulfill the expectation not only of the Club Management who have
put tremendous faith in him but also of the huge fan base of one of most reputed
club in Europe. That’s the expectation have build by the Sir Alex Ferguson in
his last 27 years at the Manchester United by winning major trophies at regular
interval. He needs to make sure that Club will have many memorable nights like
we had experience in 1998-99 against Bayer Munich in Barcelona or in 2007-08
against Chelsea in Moscow. Not only this club is known for his winning
championships but also playing good one touch football and playing with winning
mentality which they doesn’t give up till the end of the match.
One thing
which comes into the favor of David Moyes is the backing of Club Management
lead by Sir Alex Ferguson itself who now become the Director of Manchester
United Football Club. As promised by the Board, David Moyes will get the all
the support and time to convert the Glory Hunters into the most Successful Club
in Europe. More importantly the Fans need to be patient to allow David Moyes to
do his job effectively and back him and more importantly club in case it faces
difficult time in the near future. But let’s hope that glory will continue and
Reds will go marching on. GGMU!!!!
By
Amol Popalghat
Red_Devils_Forever