David Moyes is back in football management after agreeing a deal to coach Spanish club Real Sociedad. It is the Scot's first job since being sacked by Manchester United in April after being hand-picked to take over at the club by his predecessor Alex Ferguson.
The Real deal —
David Moyes is back in football management after agreeing a deal to coach Spanish club Real Sociedad. It is the Scot's first job since being sacked by Manchester United in April after being hand-picked to take over at the club by his predecessor Alex Ferguson.
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Moyes was Ferguson's personal choice to succeed him at Old Trafford and he urged the fans to get behind their new manager. The then-Everton boss signed a six-year deal on May 9 and took over the reins on July 1.
Fergie's man —
Moyes was Ferguson's personal choice to succeed him at Old Trafford and he urged the fans to get behind their new manager. The then-Everton boss signed a six-year deal on May 9 and took over the reins on July 1.
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Moyes opened his United account with a 2-0 win against Wigan in August to secure the English Charity Shield -- a match played between the league champions and the FA Cup holders -- while also becoming the first United manager since Walter Crickmer in April 1931 to start life with a victory.
Promising start —
Moyes opened his United account with a 2-0 win against Wigan in August to secure the English Charity Shield -- a match played between the league champions and the FA Cup holders -- while also becoming the first United manager since Walter Crickmer in April 1931 to start life with a victory.
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Although Moyes followed up that success with a convincing 4-1 win at Swansea in the opening game of the English Premier League season, September brought defeats by rivals Liverpool and Manchester City, while West Bromwich Albion recorded its first victory at Old Trafford for 34 years.
Stuttering season —
Although Moyes followed up that success with a convincing 4-1 win at Swansea in the opening game of the English Premier League season, September brought defeats by rivals Liverpool and Manchester City, while West Bromwich Albion recorded its first victory at Old Trafford for 34 years.
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Consistency proved to be a problem for United under Moyes. Back-to-back home defeats to former side Everton and Newcastle in December were then followed by six straight wins, only for the club to be knocked out of both domestic cup competitions in January.
Peaks and troughs —
Consistency proved to be a problem for United under Moyes. Back-to-back home defeats to former side Everton and Newcastle in December were then followed by six straight wins, only for the club to be knocked out of both domestic cup competitions in January.
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Moyes oversaw the club-record signing of Juan Mata from Chelsea in January for ￡37.1 million ($61 million). The Scot often stated that similar big-money signings were set to follow this summer, with the board believed to be giving him time to rebuild his squad.
Mind over Mata —
Moyes oversaw the club-record signing of Juan Mata from Chelsea in January for ￡37.1 million ($61 million). The Scot often stated that similar big-money signings were set to follow this summer, with the board believed to be giving him time to rebuild his squad.
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One of the bright sparks during Moyes' time at United was the form of Wayne Rooney, who the Scot worked with at Everton. Rooney hit 17 goals last season and signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract in February worth ￡300k ($500k) per week.
In Roo-d health —
One of the bright sparks during Moyes' time at United was the form of Wayne Rooney, who the Scot worked with at Everton. Rooney hit 17 goals last season and signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract in February worth ￡300k ($500k) per week.
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Perhaps the high point of Moyes' time at the club was the Champions League last-16 defeat of Olympiakos as United turned around a 2-0 first-leg deficit to progress as 3-2 winners in March. The European adventure came to an end at the quarterfinal stage as holders Bayern Munich ultimately proved too strong.
Greek tragedy —
Perhaps the high point of Moyes' time at the club was the Champions League last-16 defeat of Olympiakos as United turned around a 2-0 first-leg deficit to progress as 3-2 winners in March. The European adventure came to an end at the quarterfinal stage as holders Bayern Munich ultimately proved too strong.
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Despite guiding United to the Champions League quarterfinals, March proved to be a miserable month for Moyes in the league. The pain of suffering a 3-0 loss at home to famous rivals Liverpool was compounded by the 3-0 derby defeat to Manchester City at Old Trafford just nine days later.
Reds alert —
Despite guiding United to the Champions League quarterfinals, March proved to be a miserable month for Moyes in the league. The pain of suffering a 3-0 loss at home to famous rivals Liverpool was compounded by the 3-0 derby defeat to Manchester City at Old Trafford just nine days later.
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Despite the club's troubles under Moyes, many fans continued to back Ferguson's chosen successor. Patience soon started to wear thin, however, and one group of supporters even arranged for an aircraft to fly over Old Trafford during the 4-1 win against Aston Villa at the end of March, carrying a banner reading: "Wrong One -- Moyes Out."
Fan revolt —
Despite the club's troubles under Moyes, many fans continued to back Ferguson's chosen successor. Patience soon started to wear thin, however, and one group of supporters even arranged for an aircraft to fly over Old Trafford during the 4-1 win against Aston Villa at the end of March, carrying a banner reading: "Wrong One -- Moyes Out."
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Despite reiterating that he would be given more time, Moyes' final game in charge proved to be the 2-0 loss against former club Everton in April -- the Scot's first return to Goodison Park since departing last summer. United announced Moyes' sacking just 10 months into his six-year contract.
Over and out —
Despite reiterating that he would be given more time, Moyes' final game in charge proved to be the 2-0 loss against former club Everton in April -- the Scot's first return to Goodison Park since departing last summer. United announced Moyes' sacking just 10 months into his six-year contract.
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