David Moyes’ tenure as Manchester United manager is over.
Manchester United announced Tuesday that Moyes had left the club, 11 months after choosing him to succeed legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Manchester United’s 2-0 loss to Everton on Sunday was the final straw. The Glazer family, which owns the club, and CEO Ed Woodward discussed Moyes’ future after the Everton defeat.
Moyes, 50, presided over a dismal season in which Manchester United will finish with its lowest points total in the Premier League era and most likely will fail to qualify for either of next season’s European competitions. Manchester United has been rocked, as what was supposed to be a “transitional” season (after Ferguson’s 27 years in charge) morphed into a “rebuilding” period — one which some fear could last several years.
It’s a stunning fall from grace for a club that won last season’s Premier League by 11 points. The Red Devils trail current leader Liverpool by 23 points, having suffered a club-record 11 defeats this season.
Moyes is believed to have failed to win the support of influential players during his time in charge, and board members and a large portion of the fan base soured on him over the course of the season. Club sponsors also were thought to be less than enthused over a prolonged absence from the ranks of the most successful teams at home and abroad.
Manchester United named player-coach Ryan Giggs as temporary manager. Giggs will lead the Red Devils through their final four games of the 2013-14 season.
The club is expected to name a permanent manager in the coming days or weeks.
