David Moyes Would Make a Capable Successor for Sir Alex Ferguson

The Master and his Successor?

It’s easy to see why David Moyes is so highly touted as Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor at Manchester United. No body comes close to comparing to the stature of Sir Alex, but Moyes probably comes the closest.

The two are almost identical. They both hail from the industrial town of Glasgow in Scotland and both bring a taste of the 'Old Firm' derby with them to Manchester: Sir Alex played for Rangers, Moyes laced up for crosstown rivals Celtic.

Now the word ‘legend’ gets used a lot in professional sports. But it’s a befitting word to describe 'legendary' Sir Alex Ferguson. The 71 year old Scotsman officially called it quits after almost 27 seasons in charge of the world’s biggest club, officially putting to bed months of speculation regarding his future. Wednesday put an end to one of the biggest sagas in professional football.

Well, all but one saga: Who is going to replace Ferguson at Old Trafford?

The club and CEO David Gill have made numerous references that it will be Everton boss David Moyes who gets the top job. But like a cliché that never seems to get old, there’s a lot of speculation out there regarding Ferguson’s eventual successor.

Will it be Jose Mourinho and his unique charisma behind the bench? Or perhaps Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp, who’s almost single handedly turned around Dortmund’s fate, guiding them to successive Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012. Perhaps you prefer Paris Saint-Germain bench boss Carlo Ancelotti?  Or outgoing Bayern Munich manager Jupp Heynckes?

The list goes on.

David Moyes doesn’t appear to be everyone’s favourite candidate for the Old Trafford job. He may not be someone who's won major accolades with Everton. But that's partly because Moyes ran into the Ferguson juggernaut while he was in Merseyside. What that wily 50 year old Scotsman has done with Everton in over a decade with limited resources is a joy to marvel at.

When Ferguson arrived, he was just a 44 year old Scotsman waiting to make the jump onto the biggest stage.

It's safe to say he did.

Moyes is not much older that Ferguson when he arrived at the club back in 1986. The resemblance is almost uncanny one might say. The Everton boss has a proven track record in the transfer market and like Fergie, he makes good players better players through coaching: Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka, Marouane Fellaini, Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill immediately pop into mind.

Adding to Moyes' already impressive repertoire is his ability to know when to remain calm and when to lose his temper; and that, to use yet another cliché, is a list that goes on.

Now I wouldn’t mind Jose Mourinho taking over at Old Trafford. The 'Special One,' who’s indicating he might be leaving Real Madrid at the end of the season, has even flirted with the idea of wanting the Old Trafford hot seat. The thing about him though, he's too erratic and would probably mess the ethic Ferguson has created at Old Trafford. Mourinho wouldn’t be a manager to respect the ethic that the club is bigger than the individual: he hasn’t quite done that during his time at Chelsea, Inter or Real.

But Mourinho is a winner.

During David Moyes' 11-year reign, teams like Birmingham, Swansea and Portsmouth have all won major trophies, unlike Everton. That’s about the only thing that seems to be a disadvantage for Moyes: a gamble you could say compared to hiring someone like Mourinho or Klopp, who’ve won titles in the recent past. Make no mistake, it won’t be smooth sailing for Manchester United under Fergie's successor, whoever he maybe, as he tries to live up to the greatest manager the beautiful game has ever seen.

Back in Germany, Jurgen Klopp has worked marvels in Dortmund, but still remains inexperienced when it comes to the English game. If you watch and analyze the Bundesliga, you'll find numerous differences between the two leagues. Still, in Klopp's favour, his Dortmund side play a fast paced, attacking brand of football; something the red half of Manchester is more that familiar with.

Sir Alex Ferguson will definitely have a say in who replaces his at the club. It was always going to be that way. I'm not expecting that the club I grew up watching on television will end up as treble winners next season. No! That would be an added bonus if anything.

While the club will hire the candidate that they feel best fits the job description, there will always be people out there who seem to think they have a better idea. Opinions, like the fine wine we know Sir Alex tends to enjoy on occasion, vary.

It's an exciting time to be a football fan. For Manchester United fans, it's an exciting and nervous time moving forward. The world now awaits official confirmation on who will take up one of the most hallowed seats in football management.

It’s going to be David Moyes in the Old Trafford hot seat next season.

And you probably won't like it.

Ronny Returns

Ronaldo reacts after netting the game winner at Old Trafford

It had to be him. Of all the people on the football pitch in Manchester, it had to be Cristiano Ronaldo who scored the game winner. A dagger in the hearts of the United faithful, especially watching their hero put his current team into the last eight of the Champions League. There's no doubt in my mind that he 'Ronny' will return to Madrid with a case of mixed emotions after this result.

In easily the most hyped up of games I’ve watched in quite some time, the atmosphere did not disappoint. The crowd was right into the game from the very get go. And Sir Alex Ferguson is still showing us that at the age of 71 he still knows how to handle a team of superstars and get the best out of them.

But sadly, not this time around.

Such is Ferguson’s charisma that he started Wayne Rooney on the bench instead opting for local lad Danny Welbeck. And by no means did Welbeck disappoint. He used his running and ability to get in behind the Real Madrid defence and make a nuisance of himself. His link up play with Robin Van Persie was superb, especially with Welbeck running in behind the central defenders, causing Real big problems. Finishing is Welbeck’s weakness at this moment and if he can work on that, he’s got a bright future in the white of England ahead of him.

But Welbeck or even Rooney was not why Old Trafford was packed to the brim on a Tuesday night in England. No, definitely not. 75,000 fans were in their seats to watch their old hero play on the hallowed Old Trafford surface for the first time since he left the club in 2009. And play, he did.

When Sergio Ramos bundled the ball into his own net, it made the tie ever so interesting. But then it all back fired for United. Cuynet Cakir sent Nani off for a tackle, which pundits (except a certain Roy Keane) call a controversial decision.

But I won’t dig into that. Not here. 

Ronaldo and Nemanja Vidic

The match did however turn in Madrid’s favour, as expected. And Luka Modric with North London connections, having played for Tottenham showed by he was picked up Madrid. Ever since his move, he’s been relegated to the bench and playing part time roles. He did just that at Old Trafford, but this time, with a vengeance. It was Modric of all people, on his return to England, who got Real clicking again.

He would score off a blinding shot putting it just beyond David DeGea’s reach, tying the game at two goals apiece, putting extra time back on the cards.

Before kick-off, Ronaldo was given a rapturous reception by supporters at the club where he had played a starring role en route to winning the Champions League in 2008, as well as three Premier League titles. And he responded with a wave tap of the hand on his heart in return.

But for his current team he went one better.

Gonzalo Higuain teed up a nice low cross to the far post and who else but ‘the boy from Madeira’ rushing towards the far post and slotting the ball home past a helpless DeGea. Just like in the first leg, Ronaldo didn’t celebrate after he found the back of the net, he just stood there, with a million thoughts rushing though his head, while his teammates were rejoicing in a frenzy. 

Old Trafford was silent.

I was silent.

But inside I was exuberant. The Golden Boy has returned.

Fond memories: Ronaldo trudges on the Old Trafford pitch

Image Credits: Manchester United facebook page