Bad timing. The Villa job would have suited him well.
Not much I wouldn't have thought. Got the chance to manage Manchester United – despite what you view of them, one of the biggest clubs in the world – and go abroad to work in a big League. Very few managers who could say they've done that.
Those gigs might not have worked out as he thought, but then I heard Phil Brown say today that the average length of a manager's job is now a mere 15 months. That's a lot more jobs for Moyes to have in his career.
Not much, he would have had 2 x decent pay offs.
I did wonder how his somewhat prosaic hard working style of football would go down in Spain. Now I know.
I wouldn't read too much in to anyone getting sacked after a year at Real Sociedad. Moyes was there sixth manager in seven years.
I wouldn't read too much in to anyone getting sacked after a year at Real Sociedad. Moyes was there sixth manager in seven years.
Fair point.
I would.
2 years ago they were playing in the Champions League (ironically against Moyes' Manchester United). Though this was an over-achievement it gives an indication of what their squad should be aspiring to. That 2013-14 they finished 7th and qualified for the Europa League. The previous coach was sacked after a bad start to last season. Moyes has been dismissed as he's had exactly the same start as the other fellow had last year. I watched their game on TV last Friday and they were abysmal. I also saw his side towards the end of last season at my own team, Elche, where they were equally unimpressive. I've never seen any recognisable style of play from them since he joined, so in that sense they have been no better than they were under his predecessor.
Whilst Real Sociedad is a selling club, they actually strengthened in the summer by re-signing Illaramendi from Real Madrid and spending 7m on Jonathas from Elche - a striker he never seemed to want to use. He only ever seemed to want to bring in new players rather than get more out of the ones they already have - surely the true test of a decent coach? What's more that's completely against the philosophy of Real Sociedad which has a fantastic record of bringing through its own players.
They have some more than decent players in the two mentioned above plus Granero, Canales, Carlos Vela, Xabi Prieto so they should be aiming towards the European places rather than the relegation zone.
Bad timing. The Villa job would have suited him well.