David Moyes slammed his former team Manchester United for a lack of class when sacking managers, as Ruben Amorim’s arrival nears.
With Erik ten Hag waving goodbye, the stage is set for a fresh face, and Amorim is gearing up to take over at Old Trafford, promising a fresh tactical approach and mindset. The 39-year-old is not only set to become the youngest-ever manager of the esteemed club, but his appointment marks the sixth managerial change since the departure of the iconic Sir Alex Ferguson 11 years ago.
Moyes, who was the initial successor trying to step into Ferguson’s shoes, albeit unsuccessfully, now watches as Amorim steps up. Yet, the frequent managerial merry-go-round, which hasn’t exactly yielded the expected results for United’s lofty ambitions, has stained what used to be a club renowned for its staunch traditions and principles, Moyes suggests.
“Manchester United had unbelievable traditions. They brought in their own young players, and they didn’t sack managers,” Moyes told the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet.
“When Sir Alex Ferguson wasn’t doing so well, they didn’t do it. They stood for something, which was admirable, that this club means a bit more that bit of class, which dropped away at that time [when I was there].”
Life post-Ferguson has been topsy-turvy, with Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and Ten Hag coming and going in just over a 10-year span, reports the Mirror.
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Van Gaal brought silverware back to Old Trafford again with an FA Cup win in 2016, but before the cheers had even died down, he was sacked two days later. Mourinho then claimed a Europa League and a League Cup, yet he too was shown the exit sooner than expected.
Solskjaer’s trophyless tenure was followed by Ten Hag, who, despite claiming a pair of domestic cups and being offered a contract extension this summer, was swiftly axed just four months into the season.
Now, all eyes are on Amorim as he steps onto the relentless management merry-go-round at Old Trafford. However, an optimistic Moyes admits the 39-year-old will be boosted by a squad brimming with quality and keenness to impress that awaits him.
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“He [Ruben Amorim] is in a completely different situation now,” Moyes added. “I was really forcing it, to take over the champions at the time, so I was coming from a different [perspective]. At the moment, the players might now be saying that they need to step up because the manager might be coming from a stronger position.
“Manchester United have really talented players. Getting into Manchester United in the situation they’re in, they can only improve because of that we might see an improvement in their performance.”
The switch to Amorim’s favoured three-at-the-back formation doesn’t faze former West Ham boss Moyes either, as he insists that the modern-day footballer has become incredibly adaptable.
“Players are more flexible nowadays,” Moyes remarked. “Players from your day [to Gary Neville] might have taken a bit more time. Players now are used to it. [Manchester] United have got enough central defenders and more wing-backs.”
“I don’t think the adaptation for Manchester United will take too long. It might a while for it to get to where he [Ruben Amorim] wants it, but I think Manchester United will be fine.”