The name David Beckham must have fallen down the pecking order during the late hours of Monday to be precise, as millions of football suppor...
Moyes has enjoyed some swell publicity in the last nine months or thereabout. So of what benefit is publicity if it ended in a dismissal.
“The club would like to place on record its thanks for the hard work, honesty and integrity he brought to the role.”
This was a statement published on the club's official website.But as the dust looks to settle the race for the managerial hot seat of the most popular club in the world is on.
Within the past couple of days a plethora of names have sprung up, Jurgen Klopp, Diego Simeone, Pep Guardiola, Antonio Conte, and most heralded of them all the abrasive Louis Van Gaal.
United in the face of this managerial turmoil will thank their stars that a certain Ryan Giggs while in his early 30's began studying for his coaching badges. Asked to step in at a time probably too little to show what he can offer but nonetheless a chance he and his class of '94 staff would relish.
Giggsy as popularly known within Old Trafford maybe not be a flying dutchman but in his prime was a flying fleet footed attacking wide man.
In an opening press conference, he went on record stating he favours a positive brand of football that is in keeping with the club’s traditions. During his vintage years the Welsh man was capable of taking on opponents, in that time he really gave the Old Traford crowd something to scream about (ask the Gunners in that FA cup encounter), something of a rarity under the ill fated reign of his predecessor David Moyes.
“It is going to be my philosophy,” he (Giggs) told his first news conference in charge. “It’s going to be Manchester United’s philosophy because I have been here all my career. I want the players to play with passion, tempo, be brave, imagination, all the things I expect of a Manchester United player. Work hard, but most of all enjoy it. As a player I know if I am enjoying the game, I can express myself more.”
In sharing his views on what the current season has been he responded
“I think everyone shares responsibility”. “You win together and you lose together. Everyone involved this season hasn’t been to the standards of Manchester United. It’s as simple as that.”
Just the type of evaluation and acknowledgment of standards you want to hear from a man united manager, a notable rarity under Moyes who often lost encounters at press conferences. The Most notable ones make for bad reading.
Like saying he was “hopeful” of winning a game or describing Liverpool as “favourites” before a game at Old Trafford impressed no one. Nor did saying that he would have accepted a draw at Cardiff before the match, or stating he hoped to "make it difficult" against Newcastle United, or blaming referees, or the squad he was left with (Ferguson didn't appreciate that) and injuries.
A Replacement
Let's talk Louis van Gaal, the Netherlands boss is currently touted as a front runner for the job and in fact is the most readily available candidate.
He brings experience, a winning mentality (united have lacked under Moyes), authority to command affairs at a super power like the Red Devils and the requisite pedigree.
After successful stints at Ajax (1991-97), Barcelona (1997-2000), (2002-03), Bayern Munich (2009-11), AZ Alkmaar (2005-09).
Amassing 19 trophies in 23 years of management.
Stellar!
Van Gaal's longest managerial stint with club came in 1991-97 then in charge of Ajax, six years.
The rest have been short term spells a reason of concern for the board who are still looking to preserve their status as a managerial stable club as compared to their peers.
At 62 if given the job, it will most certainly be his last at the very top. The good thing is the Dutch can be just the short term fix the need while a certain Giggsy under studies him.
In less than a week there have already been speculation as to if Ryan can be handed a permanent appointment in the off season. A suggestion which will certainly be welcomed by legend himself, though within himself will admit it may have come a bit too early.
The likes of Pep Guardiola can be pointed to as one of the young managers who started at the very top, but how many managers have the Pep genius.
The Coming Season
What is needed at the theatre of dreams in the coming season is someone who can come in and challenge for the title from blast of the seasons' whistle.
Van Gaal is certainly the only available candidate with that much know how. United will although have to insist that Ryan Giggs and the class of '94 odyssey be allowed to make up part of the coaching setup, thus enhancing the continuity and in turn keeping the soul of the club intact.
Jurgen Klopp for all his charisma, intelligence, motivational skill, excellent man management and intriguing style of play is to some extent largely unskilled at managing a European super power like united.
As with David Moyes he may well be seen to thrive with limited resources, just what the case was at Everton. One of the undoing of David Moyes in his reign at united was his inability to work with figure heads in the dressing room.
Klopp may boast some very talented youngsters, but none match up to the ego's of the likes of Wayne Rooney, Robin Van persie, Rio Ferdinand etc; all of which Moyes clashed with at some point or the other.
The same could be said about Diego Simeone, which would also represent a long term option for the club but also cannot be guaranteed of bringing success to a club of united's follwership and expectations.
A risk the board wouldn't be willing to take.
The Verdict.
Counter Attack Ng believes a three year contract would suit the 62 year old Louis Van Gaal given his short term track record, after which Ryan Giggs can be allowed transit seamlessly to head the helm of affairs at Old Trafford.
This would mean that for the Red Devils having had an unprecedented 26 years of success under Sir Alex might just need to deviate from the norm and settle for a short term fix with a pregnant long term plan.
Shinji Kagawa, and even Cristiano Ronaldo before him often had to listen extra attentively to understand Fergie's Scottish, well the good news is Van gaal speaks fluent english.
The author of this piece YubbyThePundit writes from Smooth 98.1 fm, Victoria Island, Lagos.
