“You got the job on a technicality of a legend who recommended you. You are nothing, you are a fool and you are a waste of time. Goodnight!”
David Moyes was run out of Manchester with the words of his No.1 critic ringing in his ears. Andy Tate became an overnight internet sensation with his broad Mancunian brogue verbally assaulting the man hand-picked to do an impossible job. The former Everton boss had no place to hide as his ageing United team fell someway short of replicating the form that had made them Champions the year before.
The so-called ‘Chosen One’ was ridiculed and castigated at every turn as the Theatre of Dreams gradually became a gauntlet of fear and loathing. Mercifully for all parties, Moyes’ six-year contract was terminated at the end of April and he left with his reputation as a football manager in tatters.
Fast forward a few months and David Moyes is back on the map, in the Basque region of Spain to be precise. Showing all the bouncebackability of a red-headed weeble, Moyesy may have wobbled but he didn’t fall down. Taking the job at La Liga mainstays Real Sociedad shows a good sense of timing, a willingness to try something new and a desire to rebuild his name brick by brick in the coastal city of San Sebastien.
It’s ironic that a club that’s so fiercely proud and protective of its Basque roots has a penchant for employing British managers, with the likes of former Wales manager John Toshack and current Welsh boss Chris Coleman both having spells in the hot-seat previously. Consequently, there is less of the ‘Pep Guardiola’ style of play and more acceptance of the hard running long ball game which was Moyesy’s raison d’etra during his relatively successful spell at Everton. They even have the same colours as the Toffee men! On the surface it could be a match made in heaven.
It’s a case of so far so good for Moyes and he has just been voted manager of the week by the prestigious Spanish newspaper Marca. With two league games under his belt, Moyes’ Sociedad have drawn one, won one and have yet to concede a goal. A big plus for the Scot has been the form of Mexican international and ex-Arsenal striker Carlos Vela, who scored a hat-trick in the last game against Elche.
The honeymoon period won’t last forever but if anyone deserves a break then it’s Moyesy.
You can see how David Moyes gets on in La Liga, when Real Sociedad visit Villarreal on Sunday 7 December at 6pm... po.st/NTVMOYES
