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United board plans on sacking Moyes come this summer

Published

11 years ago

March 18, 2014

Key Manchester United boardroom figures have now turned against
David Moyes, as the prospect of the manager getting sacked has been
properly raised for the first time, club sources have told ESPN.
caption:David Moyes’ job hangs in the balance after revelations that
the Glazer family, owners of Man United, are now open to the idea
of a change of manager.
The Glazer family owners are now more open to the idea of a change
of manager, although they presently remain behind Moyes, but the
next week could prove decisive, sources said. Over that time, United
must overturn a 2-0 deficit in the Champions League against
Olympiakos, before facing an awkward trip to West Ham United
and then a potentially daunting second derby of the season against
Manchester City.
While qualification for the quarter-finals of the Champions League
would be seen as a huge positive and possibly change the entire
dynamic of his job, an elimination followed by poor performances in
the two games after that could well bring the pressure to breaking
point. The Glazers are said to have become very “nervous” about the
nature of recent performances, let alone the results, with a nadir
coming in the 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool. Some United officials
now openly maintain that a managerial change is needed.
Old Trafford sources also state it has been noted that Alex Ferguson
is no longer so vocally backing Moyes at boardroom level, although
the former manager is not said to have turned against his replacement.
It is also believed Moyes retains the backing of Bobby Charlton.
Doubt, however, has increased at virtually every level of the club.
Despite the poverty of recent performances, sources state that one of
the most influential factors now has been financial concerns. A number
of recently signed-up sponsors and commercial partners have
reportedly let it be known to the club that they are less than enthused
with now being linked to failure, especially since they specifically
came on board because of the reputation for extreme success.
This is said to have most unnerved the hierarchy, and long-term
damage to United as a “brand” could be the clinching point in any
decision. While the club have long planned for a season out of the
Champions League – and that was known to be one initial reason
behind the previously unwavering support for Moyes – any extra
negative effect on commercial revenue would be viewed with utmost
seriousness.
Sources also state that United representatives have made tentative
contact with Louis van Gaal over a potential summer appointment,
mostly to test the waters, and that the Dutch coach is a little less
intent on the Tottenham Hotspur job than he was a few weeks ago.
Spurs had felt that Van Gaal’s appointment after the World Cup
was virtually certain, but it is now more open-ended.