Cibaman wrote:
Not sure that a progressive handover would work. The media would continually ask Moyes what assurances he'd been given, when he expected to take over. Fergie would be continually asked if he'd agreed a retirement date. Existing and prospective players would want to know who they would be signing for. Its a recipe for continuous speculation.
Man Utd would say that Moyes had been given a 4 year contract. Ferguson also had a 4 year contract. Any further questions would simply be ignored. Any journo who asked the same boring question more than a couple of times would simply be banned.
I don't think a single Man Utd player would be that concerned over who the boss was. If you're signing for Man Utd to play for Ferguson or to play for Moyes. Have Barca had anyone thinking of leaving because "new guy" is in charge? Are Barca now less desirable than they were under Guardiola? Chelsea have still bought lots of players even with their managerial turmoil. A handover period between Ferguson and Moyes is hardly a concern when Fergie could stay on for years anyway. The main difference to United players is that they used to work primarily with Phelan with Fergie overseeing and they would be working with Moyes with Fergie overseeing. To anybody with any sense, that's an improvement.
There's always going to be speculation because Fergie is old and has already considered retirement. There was even questions over his hip operation and would he be continuing. Moyes coming in as assistant being groomed to take the top job pretty much stops that.
I actually think it would be a strong move from Man United. Fergie is going to be recovering from his operation next season and Moyes can take up that slack.
I still think that Mourinho blows Moyes out of the water as a superior choice for Man Utd. But Fergie doesn't seem to want to go right now and Mourinho is too expensive to come in as an assistant and he wouldn't do it anyway. But I think that Moyes as assistant and then taking over from the retiring Fergie is a good option compared to someone from Europe who will need time to adjust to the PL.
The only risk for Moyes is that him and Fergie don't get on and he loses Fergie's recommendation after a while. But I think that's a minor risk compared to a tricky job like Spurs or the Geordies. Moyes is out of contract so he's free to go to United. I reckon United could probably pay him the same to be their assistant as he is on at Everton. I think there's a tonne of good reasons for this, but it is probably BS anyway.
