The sacking of David Moyes continues to dominate as Manchester United go into the final games of the season with Ryan Giggs as interim manager.
Here Andy Gray and Richard Keys, who front beIN Sport’s EPL coverage, discuss the way it was handled and the aftermath.
Andy Gray: Whoever took over from Sir Alex Ferguson was going to face a huge challenge – convincing players who had only known one man, one playing regime, one disciplinarian and one personality that he was good enough. So, in many ways David Moyes was on a hiding to nothing.
I don’t think he did himself any favours when he took over by immediately getting rid of Fergie’s backroom staff. He should have taken time to learn before making changes, show the players what he could do and earn their respect. He didn’t do those things, and in hindsight, would probably admit it was a mistake.
Manchester United are different to most clubs because the brand represents a huge global business on the stock market and because they weren’t doing very well under Moyes, and had failed to qualify for the Champions League, the trigger finger got a bit itchy and they gave him the bullet.
But the way it came out was shoddy.
Whatever else you think of Moyes he is a man of great honesty and integrity and he deserved much better.
Personally, I wouldn’t have given David the job in the first place. He was too pragmatic, negative in some of his team selection and was not a risk taker like Fergie.
They needed a bigger personality, but having taken him on with a six-year contract, I would have given him another transfer window to see what he could do.
The trouble was he didn’t have the support of the players.
I don’t think the so called ‘Class of ‘92’ – the likes of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville helped him in any way and experienced players like Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic could also have shown him more support. I can’t think of one Manchester United player who I would say gave everything on the pitch during the Moyes tenure, so they are all culpable.
Giggs is in charge for now but he does not have enough experience to take the job full time.
United need somebody with a strong CV who won’t be afraid to upset one or two players and I would give the job to Carlo Ancelotti, a guy who has huge respect with title wins all over the world. He is the perfect fit. Louis van Gaal is another strong candidate, so we will have to wait and see.
We always said that the best job in football would be taking over from the man who took over from Fergie and that is what has happened, a little earlier than we perhaps expected. Today, United play Norwich who are fighting for their lives so it won’t be easy but I think the atmosphere at Old Trafford will boost United and they’ll win 2-1.
Richard Keys: The sacking of Moyes was overdue, I said that in this column a couple of weeks ago. They were never going to make progress with him in charge and there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the ‘Class of ‘92’ ganged up on him.
It took Paul Scholes twenty years to say something interesting and when he did, on television, it was harmful to Moyes.
Effectively, they stabbed him in the back so I don’t think Moyes ever stood a chance. It may well be he is as much to blame as them but it was never going to happen for him.
He made some early mistakes and, as Andy says, getting rid of Fergie’s backroom staff was a catastrophic error, particularly the sacking of Mike Phelan. All this goes back to the board meeting when Fergie’s successor was first discussed. I am told the original plan was to give the job to Jose Mourinho for three years, during which time he may well have fallen out with everybody, but by then, Giggs would be ready to take over.
It didn’t happen, and Moyes was Plan B, but he should never have been given a six-year deal, which was done for the sake of the stock market.
Nobody comes out of this with any dignity other than Moyes. It’s a sorry episode in United’s history but it gives Giggs a chance to lay down a marker.
There is no reason why he can’t do a Pep Guardiola, who stopped playing, turned his hand to coaching and the rest is history. He is a Manchester United man and with Fergie still at the club, and he will be for some considerable time, he could be a big success with the right people around him, and I am not talking about Scholes and Gary Neville.
He won’t get the job now because I am certain they will give that to Van Gaal but I think it is an absolute certainty that Giggs will manage Manchester United within the next three years. And he will get a flying start to his interim reign today when Norwich are thrashed 5-0.
Liverpool v Chelsea
AG: I have always believed you should play your strongest side if you have half a chance of winning the league, and if Chelsea could beat Liverpool, they would be right back in the frame. However, I think Mourinho has decided he has more of a chance of success in the Champions League and will leave out some players who would normally be first choice, but that’s what 25-man squads are for. It will make Liverpool’s job a little easier and I think they will win this 2-0.
RK: Look, it is impossible for Chelsea to field a weak team. Whatever eleven he puts out will be worth a lot more than Liverpool’s team. All 25 members of his squad are top players, but Liverpool have got the bit between their teeth, so it won’t matter which team Mourinho plays, they will get beaten 3-1. Crystal
Palace v Man City
AG: Palace’s extraordinary run, winning five games in a row, has to come to an end and Man City know that they are playing last-chance saloon football and any points dropped will cost them the title. 2-0 away win.
RK: I have said all season long that City wouldn’t win the title and I am sticking to that. Palace will get a 1-1 draw to prove that what many saw as a title-winning Man City side has been found out.
Southampton v Everton
AG: Southampton’s form has dipped in the past three weeks with one or two of the players cruising towards the end of the season. Everton, on the other hand, have to keep the heat on Arsenal in the battle for fourth, and they should win this 2-1.
RK: I can’t see Everton getting that fourth place now which is a shame because I would have liked to have seen a change, but they will get something at Southampton. 2-2.
Fulham v Hull City
AG: Hull have got half an eye on an FA Cup final and Fulham are focused on getting another important victory. 1-0 home win.
RK: I thought Fulham were doomed to relegation, but there has been something of a revival, so there will be good atmosphere at Craven Cottage. 2-0 home win.
Stoke City v Tottenham
AG: I don’t think there is much to separate these sides at the moment, and Stoke are hard to beat at home, so I’m going 1-1.
RK: Spurs are in utter chaos with Tim Sherwood managing a side who know he is leaving, so Stoke should win this 2-1.
Swansea v Aston Villa
AG: Villa need another win just to take the pressure off, but I don’t think they are going to get it. Swansea have settled a bit and look comfortable. 3-1 home win.
RK: Swansea will walk this 3-0. Villa are awful and in desperate need of change. Maybe this could be where Moyes will end up because Villa are the sort of club where I think he could do well.
Sunderland v Cardiff
AG: Sunderland had two great results at Man City and Chelsea, so it would be typical if they lost to Cardiff at home. They will be expected to win, and that in itself will bring pressure, but I am going to stick with them. 1-0 home win.
RK: This should be fascinating. I don’t think Sunderland can believe the results they got at City and Chelsea but I don’t see them winning this. 1-1.
Arsenal v Newcastle
AG: Newcastle might surprise us, but I think Arsenal will be far too strong for them, and will stroll to a 3-0 victory.
RK: Newcastle are Aston Villa in disguise with nothing going on and I can see a managerial change there in the summer. Arsenal, with Aaron Ramsey back, will be far too good for Newcastle. 4-0.
West Brom v West Ham
AG: West Ham know they are safe while the Baggies need to win this and I think will have a bit more desire. 2-0 home win.
RK: West Ham have given up on this season now they are safe, so I think West Brom can nick a 1-0 victory.
