David Moyes might have won new friends in the early hours of his latest adventure.
Moyes, 51, was unveiled as Real Sociedad’s new manager Thursday. The Scot said he was emotionally drawn to the Spanish club and assured journalists that he’s ready for the challenge of managing in Spain’s La Liga, which he described as the best domestic competition in the world, per the BBC.
“La Liga has the finest players and great coaches, and I want to test myself against the best,” Moyes said Thursday at his official unveiling. “This is the best league in the world, in my opinion.”
Moyes replaces Jagoba Arrasate on the Real Sociedad hot seat, having signed a contract which expires in June 2016. Real Sociedad currently sits 15th in the standings, and Moyes’ immediate goal is to improve the club’s position in the league.
Despite Real Sociedad’s struggles, Moyes believes it is the right time and place for him to continue his managerial career, following his disastrous tenure as Manchester United’s manager in 2013-14.
“I feel at this stage that I’m at just now, it’s the right time,” Moyes said, according to FIFA.com. “I’m well rested, I’ve had six months off and I’ve got to say I’m raring to go.”
Moyes added that he turned down offers from English clubs in favor of the Spanish challenge.
“I’d had several offers to manage back in the Premier League, I’ve spoken to several clubs in different countries, but the only place that has really tugged at the heartstrings and made me think this is the right club has been Sociedad,” Moyes said.
Moyes’ first game as Real Sociedad manager will be on the road at Deportivo La Coruna on Nov. 22. While Moyes might not be fully familiar with all of his players by then, he’ll have won some popularity contests among fans of his new team.
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Photo via Alvaro Barrientos/Associated Press
