By Daniele Accurso
When David Moyes was appointed Manchester United manager two-and-a-half years ago, I wrote a blog which, whilst being slightly negative about him being Sir Alex’s successor, I can say I got spot on.
Talking about a lack of suitable transfers to suit United and his own track record (neverhaving won a major trophy as a manager), I wasn’t shocked to see his eventual downfall at Old Trafford.
I had hoped Moyes would do well, I love being proved wrong for the right reasons. I don’t have an anti-Moyes agenda but nevertheless it was nice to see my blog get it correct.
However, come his appointment at Real Sociedad (La Real), I wanted nothing more than him to do well.
A British manager taking the reins abroad is something we don’t see enough. Steve McClaren’s second spell at FC Twente didn’t go smoothly so here was a chance for British managers to be redeemed.
Real Sociedad seemed perfect: A club needing saving and to then have some mid-table security and eventually push on. Sounds like Everton all over again, doesn’t it?
And Moyes did brilliantly in his first season. Having come in at a hard time, he guided the Spanish outfit to 12th in La Liga, beating Barcelona along the way.
With that finish, faith in Moyes as a competent manager was restored. Being gifted the largest transfer budget in La Real’s history, buying the likes of Asier Illarramendi for £17m, Moyes had it all set perfectly.
Yet, just like at United, everything started well but seemed to drastically take a U-turn in fortunes. A squad which should have been looking up to Europa League qualification left the fans puzzled – why are we in a relegation battle again? Having won only two games out of ten this season, both away from home, patience in the Scotsman was waning.
Onto the crucial away game against Las Palmas, like La Real struggling at the wrong end of the table. A 2-0 loss occurred with Sociedad offering nothing in the game to suggest they could turn itaround. And just like his team, it seemed Moyes could do little about his impending future either. He was duly sacked and now faces a tough period in his career. From relative safety at Everton to being sacked twice in quick succession, where does this leave the 52-year-old?
I’m sure he’ll take some time away from the game and I’d expect to see him taking the reins at a Premier League club sometime next season.
The more pressing issue for me is what does this mean for British managers? Apart from McClaren’s successful first spell at FC Twente, there’s not been much to write home about in recent times.
With various foreign bosses in the Premier League including Spanish, Portuguese, German French and Chilean, it makes you question why we don’t see more of our managers getting jobs abroad. Perhaps they are worried about the language aspect or fitting in to the culture. Or perhaps they have been put off by seeing other British managers fail to be successful when they have ventured overseas.
I was so happy for Moyes to get the Real Sociedad job. Forget United,this was a chance to rewrite the script for himself and British managers.
While Moyes failed and his reputation has taken another hit, this may also persuade other foreign clubs that buying British, managerially- speaking at least, is a bad idea.
But what is next for our managers?
Sadly, I predict we may not see any of them going abroad for some time.
Yet with more players plying their trade in foreign leagues, it’s natural that someone from these shores will eventually have a go at overseas management. Let’s hope they prove a success.
