With a characteristic
flurry, Sir Alex Ferguson ended his 1500 game reign as Manchester United
manager by setting another record. His team’s ten goal draw (5-5) with West
Bromwich Albion was the first score line of its kind in the Premiership.
Meanwhile, incoming
Manchester United manager, David Moyes had the dubious pleasure of watching
Everton crash to a 2-1 defeat against Chelsea in his final game in charge.
Moyes will have to hit the
ground running when he takes control at Manchester United. Gorged on success, the
fans will demand that he continue the club’s long trophy run.
Ferguson joined Manchester
United from Aberdeen in 1986. Success did not come immediately. By 1989, following
an early season run of six defeats and two draws in eight games the club’s fans
were calling for change. A banner displayed at Old Trafford summed up the
mood....... "three years of excuses and it's still crap ... ta-ra
Fergie."
Supported by the board of
directors, Ferguson stuck to the task, although he later described December
1989 as "the darkest period he had ever suffered in the game". Despite
the club’s continued poor league form, the directors recognised that Ferguson’s
‘behind the scenes’ work in reorganising the coaching and scouting systems
would eventually pay off.
Their faith was rewarded in
May 1990 when United won the FA Cup. Beating Crystal Palace 1-0 in a replay
following a 3–3 draw in the first match, Ferguson gained his first major trophy
as Manchester United manager......the rest is history.
Has David Moyes got what it
takes to cut the mustard at Old Trafford ? He has consistently helped Everton,
a much smaller club, to remain in contention in the top half of the Premiership
for 11 years. His teams play a very attractive style of football.
His managerial style is
different, more considered, thoughtful and much less confrontational than that
of Ferguson. No ‘hairdryer’ when dealing
with player underperformance. Overall, Moyes is pretty well equipped for
success in what most commentators agree is the biggest job in football.
Moyes also has an extra
factor guaranteed to bring success. Writing in The Independent on 13 May, Glenn
Moore noted, “the public image of David Moyes is as an intense, hard manager.
The reality is different. He is quietly-spoken and good company with an
interest in the pastoral care of his players. That perhaps stems from his
deep-seated Christian beliefs, an aspect of his personality he tends not to
discuss.”
For me, anyone with a living
faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour is a winner.
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