Van Cock out to replace Agent Moyes?

[localny]

Manchester United meet with Louis van Gaal as uncertainty over David Moyes' future increases
Apr 12,

Mirror Sport understands that Old Trafford officials have met with the Dutch boss, who becomes a free agent in the summer

Mirror Sport understands United representatives - believed to include one of the Glazers - met with Holland coach van Gaal at a secret location in Europe within the last 48 hours.

Reports from Holland last night claimed the meeting between van Gaal and United had taken place, with the Dutchman sounded out about the prospect of succeeding Moyes at Old Trafford.

Moyes is under huge pressure after a disastrous first season at United and former Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss van Gaal is among the leading candidates to succeed him should he be axed.

Van Gaal will be a free agent after taking charge of Holland at this summer's World Cup in Brazil and has already been approached by Tottenham about taking over from current boss Tim Sherwood.

Spurs are said to be frustrated with van Gaal's failure to agree a deal with them, but United's interest would explain why the 62-year-old has been reluctant to commit to the White Hart Lane job.

Van Gaal is said to be interested in the United job and keen to work at club level with Robin van Persie, with whom he enjoys an excellent relationship in the Holland set-up.

Moyes has endured a wretched first year since succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson, with United currently 17 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool and their season all but over with a month to go.

Shaun BotterillDoubts: United have struggled in their transition to life under David Moyes this season
Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final defeat to Bayern Munich ended any chance Moyes had of winning a trophy this season, following United's exits from the FA Cup and Capital One Cup.

Despite publicly insisting Moyes retains their backing, it is thought United's alarming slump this season has made many within the club question whether the 50-year-old is the right man to lead the club long term.

United are currently in seventh spot in the Premier League, seven points adrift of fourth-placed Arsenal, and facing the prospect of missing out on the Champions League for the first time in 19 years.

Against that backdrop and with a budget of £200million set aside this summer to make United's squad competitive again, there are doubts over whether Moyes is the man to oversee that rebuilding job.

United last night dismissed any link with Van Gaal, and insisted no such meeting had taken place.

 

[HC]

No chance. I honestly feel they could lose each remaining game and he would still survive

 

[Spaghetti Legs]

No chance. I honestly feel they could lose each remaining game and he would still survive

It does seem like that.

The thing is what do they do if after 3/4 months of next season Moyes still has them hopelessly flapping around which is a very likely possibility, mid season isn't exactly ideal to be looking for the right manager, i suppose they would go with Giggs or another temporary type and possibly write a second season off, that would be perfect.

Surely next season can't possibly give as much comedy as this regardless of Moyes being useless, money is going to get thrown at it in the summer and that can only really help their situation, saying that though some big characters in their dressing room will be pissing off this summer which isn't ideal for any team.

 

[localny]

For the life of me. I can't understand why they are putting themselves through this. Surely someone has to come out and say the emperor has no clothes. Everyone knows Moyes is not the man for the job, he has no identity, no philosophy, no methods. Southampton has a better manager for Jesus sakes.

It's like it's the downside (for them) of the cult of personality at OT. Fergie is pulling the strings, he wants a manager in his own image, who gets time like he did. It's never going to happen and it's beyond bizarre it will be allowed to continue. Like Hodgson, it's so obvious from the start.

I can't believe how dumb they are being, for a billion dollar corporation - the glazers are clueless - long may it continue!

 

[Judge Jules]

I'm guessing Moyes might have got the push already but for Ferguson's backing.

I wonder how much of this is down to that old cnut trying to protect his own legacy. Might he be worried about what everyone will say if his personally selected successor is seen to have failed, and therefore be continuing to back him while hoping for a miracle?

 

[Spaghetti Legs]

For the life of me. I can't understand why they are putting themselves through this.

Out of the whole mess this is the most fucked up thing about it.

All they have to do is click their fingers and hes gone, yes he gets a big pay off but its pennies to them in the grand scheme of things.

It really is so clear hes all wrong for them but they have this illogical moral high ground about giving managers time which makes no real sense, thats why Moyes is still there, he wouldn't be at any other big club and rightfully so, why would you stick by someone when its so obvious that hes not up to it?

 

[Rouge Penguin]

Moyes doesn't have 8 fantastic players coming through the youth academy to save him.

He's not going to get funds for the players he needs. He's fucked. Awesome for everyone

 

[Mors]

Moyes doesn't have 8 fantastic players coming through the youth academy to save him.

He's not going to get funds for the players he needs. He's fucked. Awesome for everyone

I think he'll be heavily backed in the summer. Whether they can attract the right players, or whether he'll ruin them if they do come is another matter.

 

[mark1975]

Hopefully Moyes stays and they go for a joint managerial thing, they always work out well.

 

[HC]

Utd will spend big this summer.

They literally need to bring in 2-3 quality starters and another 3-4 squad players to get back into the top 4.

I'm not sure the law of averages in football transfers will allow for that to work out too well.

It's going to take time regardless.

 

[mark1975]

Utd will spend big this summer.

They literally need to bring in 2-3 quality starters and another 3-4 squad players to get back into the top 4.

I'm not sure the law of averages in football transfers will allow for that to work out too well.

It's going to take time regardless.

The big question is whether they have the attraction. Personally I think Moyes will go and they will go for an experienced quick fix, they're not that stupid.

 

[King Binny]

Is this the same guy who was sacked by Bayern Munich when the side was fourth in the Bundesliga and struggling to qualify for Champions League? 😛

 

[Judge Jules]

Yes, but that's not the whole story. At times van Gaal has got things very right indeed. He can be disruptive but, at the moment, that might be what they need. I'd prefer it if he didn't end up there.

 

[localny]

Giving Moyes the money to buy average, ultimately unwanted players that you would pay high wages, and struggle to sell when the mistake is realized just multiplies the damage of his appointment x100. If they give him money to spend, and he as expects buys more garbage, they will be out of the CL for a few years and will go downhill financially fast.

How do we know this? Because we lived it.

 

[Wilko7]

Considering the ego size of the raddle-cheeked one, I've often thought his choice of successor was to ensure that his own achievements would not be emulated.

 

[localny]

Considering the ego size of the raddle-cheeked one, I've often thought his choice of successor was to ensure that his own achievements would not be emulated.

Bizarre but true!

 

[juniormember]

I'm guessing Moyes might have got the push already but for Ferguson's backing.

I wonder how much of this is down to that old cnut trying to protect his own legacy. Might he be worried about what everyone will say if his personally selected successor is seen to have failed, and therefore be continuing to back him while hoping for a miracle?

And a more cynical view would be that he'll be known down the line as a manager that took what was acutually a top 7 quality team to the top of the league as champions in his final year, with pthings obviously going downhill the moment he left.

 

[Judge Jules]

I don't really think that's more cynical than my guess TBH. We're both saying he may well have been more concerned with his own rep than with the club's (mis)fortunes.

Shame innit. 😀

 

[localny]

Manchester United have denied that that the club have met with Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal this week amid speculation he is being lined up to replace manager David Moyes.

Reports in the Dutch press claimed that United powerbrokers, including joint chairman Joel Glazer, had interviewed the former Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager in Europe over recent days.

But sources at Old Trafford have told ESPN that they are adamant this is not the case and that no such meeting has taken place.

United have remained supportive of Moyes, despite a disappointing first year at Old Trafford that has led to questions over his future in the job.

 

[#roadred]

Is this the same guy who was sacked by Bayern Munich when the side was fourth in the Bundesliga and struggling to qualify for Champions League? 😛

Yes, but that's not the whole story. At times van Gaal has got things very right indeed. He can be disruptive but, at the moment, that might be what they need. I'd prefer it if he didn't end up there.

He got a lot right, but he goat an awful wrong. He lost the trust and support of a big portion of his squad at Munich(not all of them), he also treated the board(Beckenbauer, Rummenigge & Hoeneß amongst others) with disrespect and got shown the door quick sharp even after winning the league 10 months before. He also doesn't seem to stay in a job for long periods except at Alkmaar so I think he could be just the disruptive kind of shithead that could mess things up even more at the scum.
Nice, potentially.

 

[Spaghetti Legs]

Moyes sets sights on five-trophy assault
ESPN staff

David Moyes has vowed to try and win a quintuple of the Premier League, the Champions League, the FA Cup, the Capital One Cup and the Community Shield in his debut season at Old Trafford.
And the new Manchester United manager believes he has a huge opportunity to retain the league title.
The Scot's only trophy came in what is now League One with Preston in 2000 but he has the chance to land silverware in his first competitive game in charge of United, who face Wigan in the Community Shield on August 11.
And Moyes has set his sights on challenging for every honour available.
He said: "If you're at Manchester United, my thinking is that you have to go for everything. You attempt to win everything. Maybe you miss out at times, but you attempt to win all the trophies.
"I've set out with that intention everywhere else I've been, and I'll certainly do it here because I've got a bigger squad, quality players and a club with a tradition who have been used to winning trophies."
Sir Alex Ferguson won his 13th and United's 20th league title before retiring in May, and Moyes added: "Fortunately, he's left me a really strong team, which I think gives me a great chance of retaining the title."
United have a tradition of playing attacking football and Moyes aims to pick a side who will entertain.
"I hope so," he said. "But I would always put winning at the top of the list. I don't think I'll ever change in that. I'm sure Sir Alex would as well.
"If you had a great entertaining team but didn't win the games, then it's never getting you anywhere. So you've got to get the balance right, and I hope I can."

 

[Judge Jules]

He got a lot right, but he goat an awful wrong. He lost the trust and support of a big portion of his squad at Munich(not all of them), he also treated the board(Beckenbauer, Rummenigge & Hoeneß amongst others) with disrespect and got shown the door quick sharp even after winning the league 10 months before. He also doesn't seem to stay in a job for long periods except at Alkmaar so I think he could be just the disruptive kind of shithead that could mess things up even more at the scum.
Nice, potentially.

That's right as far as it goes, but I wasn't just referring to Bayern. He was successful at Ajax and Barca and stayed long enough at both to win titles. Yes, he'd be a risky appointment, but the upside of that risk is that he and they could really click. He's also tough enough to tell Ferguson to eff off, which IMO anyone managing them is going to have to be as long as that old sod hangs around.

 

[Rafiagra]

The thing about Moyes is he did a pretty decent job at Everton. He's gone into Utd at the same time as a new Chief Exec who obviously had no clue had to make deals, and had to deal with a load of aged senior pros who obviously have no interest in playing for him.

I reckon he could have managed it better and he's deffo no Fergie, but Moyes has had to deal with a shitty hand this season. Given time, I think they'd improve under him.

However, hopefully they won't and they'll threaten relegation next season.

 

[Judge Jules]

Getting a middle-ranking club to punch above its weight is a very different job from keeping a successful club at the top, and there's no guarantee that a manager who can do the first can also do the second (or vice versa). Moyes did perform well at Everton and IMO could again at another similar club, but I can't see him doing the bizzo at Old Toilet now.

So here's hoping he sees his contract out.

 

[Athens]

Getting a middle-ranking club to punch above its weight is a very different job from keeping a successful club at the top, and there's no guarantee that a manager who can do the first can also do the second (or vice versa). Moyes did perform well at Everton and IMO could again at another similar club, but I can't see him doing the bizzo at Old Toilet now.

So here's hoping he sees his contract out.

It's the man who ran a successful chippey taking over a Michelin starred restaurant argument. In appointing Moyes, Whisky nose has got his Harry Ramsden confused with his Gordon Ramsey.

 

[keniget]

They'll spend big money in the summer (they're still an attractive club to players as evidenced by Mata going there) and that will be enough in itself to push them back into the frame for a top 4 finish.

 

[red_maradona]

ideally Moyes wins all his games, stays for the summer, buys shit players, gets sacked in Sep, new coach comes in with no influence on squad and they are in a state of limbo until Jan at which point there will be more short-terminism and more panic buys. Cycle repeats itself the following season....

 

[Judge Jules]

Keni: agreed, but that's no guarantee they'll make it. They'll be having to deal all at once with (a) general large-scale upheaval, (b) the need to get the right players in and (c) the need to integrate them into a coherent unit, all the while under a manager whose own suitability for the job is - to say the very least - in question.

 

[the count]

If the Man U board were reluctant to appoint Mourinho I can't see Van Gaal getting a ringing endorsement from them either.

 

[localny]

Mourinho must be looking like a super model to them now. I can't see big collates signing for Moyes, knowing as we all do that he doesn't have the confidence of the players, and he won't be there past Christmas. United will endure one bad season but not two.