Sunderland have appointed David Moyes as their head coach for a period of 4 years. The club kept their word and moved swiftly after Sam Allardyce went off to be England National team’s saviour. Moyes had been out of work since December after being relieved of his duties by Real Sociedad.
Ellis Short has admitted Moyes was the club’s first choice during their last 5 appointments. And they have finally secured the services of the man, albeit in circumstances which are far from ideal. Sunderland have been in continuous turmoil for the last few seasons, with Premier League survival being celebrated like top half finishes and Moyes has explicitly stated he wants to make sure it does not happen again. Though sceptical fans would be hoping he is talking about finishing higher up the table and not the fact they would be actually relegated.
On a serious note, on the basis of character, solidity is the minimum Moyes will bring along with him. Short sounded out the Scot when Dick Advocaat planned to retire in May 2015. Moyes resisted out of a debt of loyalty to Jokin Aperribay, the Real Sociedad president who went to great lengths to convince him to start anew in Spain after the misery of Manchester United.
He was again approached by Short in October after Advocaat offered to resign. But Moyes was determined to recover from a faltering start at Real Sociedad and avoid a second failure in such quick succession. But Short turned to Big Sam in a fortnight and Moyes faced the ignominy of a second dismissal in a span of 19 months.
Both of them confluence in similar circumstances, with Sunderland thirsty for a semblance of stability and Moyes licking his wounds with his image blemished after disastrous spells at Manchester United and Sociedad. The Black Cats will be hoping he finds the low-expectations at Sunderland more suited to his style and is able to impart his philosophy like he successfully accomplished at Everton so that Sunderland find their feet again.
The support and trust he received from Everton chairman Bill Kenwright has been absent from the manager’s career since May 2013 and Short will need to provide both in the months ahead. The Sunderland owner is looking long-term with the appointment of Moyes and will hope the sudden departure of Sam Allardyce does not unsettle the players.
Twitter duly reacted and expressed their opinions wholeheartedly and Moyes got both sides of the coin as a welcome.
A shrewd move by Sunderland I personally would have preferred David Moyes as England manager!
— Liam Cosgrove (@Cosgrove9Liam) July 23, 2016
Sunderland’s official website claim David Moyes’ achievements in Spain included a famous 1-0 win over Barcelona. pic.twitter.com/HYjJj8CO5X
— Naveen Ullal (@UllalIBT) July 23, 2016
How can a club appoint calamity David Moyes as manager after all his previous failures. He’ll relegate Sunderland in earnest.
— Kopa (@NapoleonKopa) July 23, 2016
David Moyes gone to Sunderland! He’ll better Sam Allardyce.
— ChiTraDhwOz kc (@lfcmaverickzz) July 23, 2016
David Moyes is a great appointment by Sunderland. If given money and patience, he will stabilise the club and help it succeed.
— H (@DeGeaholic) July 23, 2016
As much as it pains me to say it, David Moyes is a brilliant appointment for Sunderland, could possibly move the club forward
— Tom Howarth (@Sirbobbyliveson) July 23, 2016
With David Moyes at the helm it’s going to be raining trophies for those long suffering Sunderland fans. Hahahaha ???? relegation.
— freddy krueger’s nan (@krueger_nan) July 23, 2016
