24 hours can seem an extremely long time in football, yet, after Sir Alex Ferguson had announced his retirement from Manchester United we barely had time to contemplate potential successors when it was all but confirmed that Everton manager David Moyes had been earmarked, by Ferguson himself, to take the reins at Old Trafford.
I have made no secret of my views towards Moyes’ suitability, ‘success’ measured at Goodison by some new dubious criteria, given comparable performances by others managers with similar constraints, but believe his appointment as heir will make little difference to the challenges United face from a departing Ferguson.
The 71-year-old’s recruitment policy, goalkeepers apart, has been fundamental to their success, however, this is made easier with the financial power that ensures the pick of the best and brightest, and paying substantial fees for players in their prime, Robin van Persie an obvious example, but consider that Ferguson had left a year ago, would the Dutchman have chosen a side undoubtedly about to embark on a transitional period, regardless of how smooth, or Manchester City where Roberto Mancini has a relative sense of stability.
This will be the key now for the powerbrokers at Old Trafford, £60million plus deals for Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo have been widely rumoured in recent weeks, but both will be asking themselves the same questions as van Persie could have been last year had the Glaswegian not been in position, the Portuguese has always reiterated his admiration for the man that gave him a worldwide audience, so his absence could scupper a deal, particularly with compatriot Jose Mourinho on the move and substantial offers on the table elsewhere.
Approaching 24 years of age Bale, who shows no sign of wishing to leave British shores, would have seen Ferguson as the ideal mentor for the peak years of his career, and brought the domestic honours Tottenham cannot guarantee, but again, without the Scot, all bets are off, one more year in North London suddenly looks certain as he reviews the impact of an incoming boss.
Despite a runaway title triumph this season the current squad is by far one of the best of his 26 years, with several of the standard bearers due to depart in the near future, Paul Scholes will almost certainly retire (again) this summer, Ryan Giggs can only ignore the sands of time for so long and Rio Ferdinand recaptured previous form to prove fundamental, yet cannot complete two matches in a week.
Then there is Wayne Rooney, a player of which Moyes had high hopes, but has clearly not reached the expectations placed upon him, although he seems to feel deserving of the adulation afforded former team-mate Ronaldo, therefore, his potential arrival is another motivation for seeking a transfer at the end of the season, however, even former suitors City are turning away.
Whilst longevity served the club so well under Ferguson it should not be a prerequisite in the search for his replacement, Real Madrid have employed 24 coaches during his time at United, winning one more Champions League in that time and just two less league titles, a proven record of success, which he had at Aberdeen domestically and in Europe, should therefore always be the first criteria when making their decision, otherwise they could give the wrong man too long in the job, attempting to follow the five year approach the Scot was afforded before landing a first trophy, this time though, it may not come.
By Kevin Pogorzelski @rabbitrabbiton
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