David Moyes will follow in the footsteps of Sir Alex Ferguson after being unveiled as the new Manchester United manager with a six year contract.
The appointment of Moyes, 50, comes just 24 hours on from the shock retirement of Ferguson on Wednesday morning.
Having learnt his managerial trade at Preston North End, the former centre-back enjoyed a 11-year stint at Everton on a limited budget.
In a statement on the club’s website, 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 football 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.”
Ferguson – who believes Moyes has the ‘right attributes’ for the role – revealed the fellow Scot first caught his eye when applying for United’s assistant manager position in 1998.
“He was a young man then at the start of his career and has since gone on to do a magnificent job at Everton,” said Ferguson.
“There is no question he has all the qualities we expect of a manager at this club.
“David is a man of great integrity with a strong work ethic.”
Ferguson will take a seat upstairs with Sir Bobby Charlton as a director on the Red Devils board once the season comes to a close.
Charlton first joined United as a youth player in 1953, and is adamant Moyes has what it takes to guide the club through another successful era.
“In David Moyes, we have someone who understands the things that make this such a special club,” he said.
“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.
“At United, I think David will be able to express himself. I’m delighted he has accepted and am looking forward to working with him.”
Everton reached the Champions League qualifying stages under Moyes’ stewardship in 2005, and were FA Cup finalists – losing to Chelsea – four years later.
He has also won the LMA Manager of the Year Award three times – joint-highest with Ferguson since the accolade’s inception in 1994.
Image courtesy of BBC Sport, via YouTube, with thanks.
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