He's Fergie Mk II! Dawning of a new era at Old Trafford as Moyes signs six-year £30m deal to replace Sir Alex at United

By Ian Ladyman

PUBLISHED: 10:01 EST, 9 May 2013 | UPDATED: 16:50 EST, 9 May 2013

David Moyes stepped into the biggest shoes in British football and was immediately tipped to succeed at Manchester United by  predecessor Sir Alex Ferguson.

Moyes will leave Everton at the end of the  season after agreeing a six-year deal to become the new boss at Old Trafford.

The 50-year-old, who will earn £5million a year in his new role, was chosen for the job by  Ferguson and becomes the first new United manager for an incredible 27 years.

Scroll down for video

New boy in town: David Moyes was confirmed as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor

Moyes said: ‘It’s a great honour to be asked to be the next manager of Manchester United.  I am delighted that Sir Alex saw fit to recommend me for the job. I have great respect for everything he has done and for the club.

‘I know how hard it will be to follow the best manager ever, but the opportunity to manage Manchester United isn’t something that comes around very often and I’m really looking forward to taking up the post next season.’

Moyes’s appointment was rubber-stamped by United’s owners — the Glazer family — but  Ferguson’s input was paramount.

Ferguson said: ‘When we discussed the  candidates that we felt had the right attributes, we unanimously agreed on David.

‘He is a man of great integrity with a strong work ethic. I’ve admired his work for a long time and approached him as far back as 1998 to  discuss the position of assistant manager here.

‘He was a young man then at the start of  his career and has since gone on to do a  magnificent job at Everton. There is no question he has all the qualities we expect of a manager at this club.’

New beginning: The news is a blow to new Manchester United boss David Moyes

New era: Moyes is set to come under greater scrutiny than ever

Departing: Moyes left Kenwright's offices, appearing positive, at the end of their meeting

 

   

  HAVE YOUR SAY...  

 

Is David Moyes the right man to replace Sir Alex Ferguson? It looks increasingly likely that Everton manager David Moyes will be named as the next manager of Manchester United, following the retirement of Alex Ferguson.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK

United legend Sir Bobby Charlton — influential in hiring Ferguson a quarter of a century ago — also played his part this time round.

He said: ‘I have always said that we wanted the next manager to be a genuine United man. In David Moyes, we have someone who understands the things that make this such a special club. We have secured a man who is committed to the long term and will build teams for the future as well as now. Stability breeds success.’

With Moyes committed to concluding the season at Everton, he will not be introduced as United manager until after the campaign is over and will not take up his position until July 1. He will then lead United on a pre-season tour of Asia and Australia and return to face Manchester City or Wigan in the Community Shield.

‘I have had a terrific job at Everton, with a tremendous chairman and board of directors and a great set of players,’ added Moyes.

Much to contemplate: Moyes's profile is set to grow even further

Positive: And he has reason to be, although one job may be persuading Wayne Rooney (below) to stay at Old Trafford - the pair had an at-times fractious relationship at Everton

‘Between now and the end of the season, I will do everything in my power to make sure we finish as high as possible in the table. Everton’s fantastic fans have played a big part in making my years at Goodison so enjoyable and I thank them wholeheartedly for the support they have given me and the players. Everton will be close to me for the rest of my life.’

Confirmation of Moyes’s appointment came from Everton yesterday when they announced he was leaving after 10 years in charge. United, though, spent much of the day feeling rather embarrassed after twice prematurely introducing their new man on their official Facebook page before hurriedly taking the post down.

For his part, Ferguson held another meeting with his players yesterday afternoon in which he is believed to have told them to give Moyes all their support.

First on the new manager’s list of things to do when he does start work will be to sort out his backroom staff and the future of centre forward Wayne Rooney.

 

Fans around the globe react to Ferguson retirement news

Welcomed: Neville (right) told Geoff Shreeves he would like to see David Moyes at Old Trafford

Moyes is understood to wish to bring Phil Neville and David Weir to the club but already has a Premier League-winning coaching set-up awaiting him at Old Trafford. Current players Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs are also waiting in the wings for positions.

As for Rooney, news yesterday that he recently asked Ferguson if he could leave the club in the summer will not have surprised Moyes. It is believed he already knew.

Given that it is life under Ferguson that Rooney has found difficult this season — rather than a general problem with being a United player — the door is open for Moyes and the 27-year-old to sit down and discuss a way forward.

Interestingly, though, it emerged yesterday that Rooney no longer carries the words ‘Manchester United player’ on his Twitter feed. It does, however, still feature a photograph of Rooney celebrating a goal in a United shirt.

Reaction to Moyes’s appointment among United fans was mixed. Some feel that the club have hired a manager similar in character to Ferguson while others fear he does not have enough experience of contesting major trophies.

Within the United dressing room, there was nothing but praise for the former Preston manager.

Rio Ferdinand said: ‘I think it was important that the club made a decision quickly and it all got sorted out. I think the club have acted impeccably in that sense.

‘Another reason I think it’s a good appointment is that David Moyes will be very, very open and sympathetic to the traditions of the club and he’ll try to continue that and not come in and make changes in terms of the whole characteristics of the club.’

Moving on: Moyes met with Kenwright yesterday and looks set to replace Fergie today

Friends and foes: Moyes was approached by Ferguson as early as 1998

VIDEO: Sir Bobby Charlton pays tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson

 

Sir Bobby Charlton talks about how great Sir Alex Ferguson's...

Midfielder Michael Carrick said: ‘He has done a terrific job at Everton. He’s been there for a long time now with great success for the resources he’s had and he’s well respected with everyone I spoke to. All the players who have played for him all enjoy playing with him and say good things about him.’

One puzzle regarding Ferguson’s departure that still hasn’t been solved is why he said in his match programme notes last Sunday that he would still be around next season. Journalist David Meek, who ghostwrites Ferguson’s column, suggested that maybe he had made his decision very suddenly with the help of the Glazers.

This flies in the face of United’s suggestion that Ferguson decided to go some months ago on his own terms. Meek said: ‘There is the scenario that he was blissfully intending to carry on for another season, true to his programme notes, but then there was a top summit meeting and the suggestion was made (that he retired).

‘I don’t think it had to be made forcefully. If he felt the owners no longer had 100 per cent confidence in him, I don’t think he’d hesitate [to go].

‘I’d love to know. That’s the next chapter to the story. Did he go or was he pushed? I knew something was afoot when I rang him [on Tuesday] at his home and I said, “Shall I come in tomorrow morning?” He said, “No, I shall be too busy”. That’s all he said.’

United plan a special send-off for Ferguson when he manages at Old Trafford for the last time on Sunday. It is understood that his own team will afford him a guard of honour as he comes on to the field while a host of former greats have been invited to attend the game.