The Chosen One Now Has To Choose

Somewhere in Manchester, now sits a banner.

It is probably dusty by now, folded up and hidden – it represents the shame of a once great nation. It heralded a hero that never came; a saviour that never saved. It proclaimed the second coming of one of her greatest sons. Now, it is a reminder of dark times in the nation of Mancunia.

Somewhere in Florida, now sits a man.

He was championed and welcomed as a king, a hero! He was to lead the Mancunians into their next great era of dominance. He was to be the leader of a new empire, that’d he’d been given by a dear friend. He was to become the new knight at Old Trafford.

Unfortunately, the Chosen One and his banner are now history at Old Trafford. In a dire 10 months, the man once hailed as Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor is now remembered with a smirk and snigger by the fans and players of Manchester United. He has failed them, and they have failed him. Regrettably, the world will only remember the former.

But David Moyes was not born as Sir Alex’s successor. He spent 4 great years at Preston North End before making his name as the manager of Everton FC, where he became widely recognised as one of the game’s best managers. Despite winning nothing with them, most people in the Premier League recognized him as a terrific manager working on a tight budget.

However, his time at Manchester United, with insubordinate players, poor signings, a lack of fan support and broken promises by the board have tarnished his image. Yes, he has made mistakes, but the fault lies just as squarely with the Glazers and with a Squad that will be moved on. However, that’s a story for another day.

Today, Moyes needs to decide where he will go next. He is a fighter, as his 11-year stint at Everton proved. He will pick himself up, and dust himself off. But maybe, just maybe, he needs a break. A gruelling 10 months with “Moyes Out” banners flying all over will surely have inflicted some psychological damage. The hustle and bustle of the Premier League is an inadequate environment for recovery, as Villas-Boas quickly found out.

For now, David Moyes would do well to take a sabbatical. A year or two of reflection and re-invention would suit him well; some time with his wife and gorgeous daughter. Interesting posts might open up in that time, and a stint in Italy, at the helm of AC Milan (who are doing very poorly, and might be interested) or Inter Milan might be a smooth but challenging re-introduction into the game.
A whirl at a Spanish team, where the pressure to succeed is much lower due to the duopoly established by Real and Barcelona might also be a good idea for him.

David Moyes needs to heal, and come back to the Premier League a new man.