May 08, 2013

End of an Era. Fergie Out!: Imperial Lord Ferg Sir Alex quits. Here are some highlights of the last 35 years or so of his footballing life.

posted by owlhouse to soccer at 06:17 AM - 13 comments

What a shock. I can't picture a Premiership without him at Man U. If he'd given the news earlier the whole season would've been a tribute to him.

posted by rcade at 09:26 AM on May 08, 2013

Moyes in, apparently. No idea how to feel as a fan of Everton and Moyes.

posted by yerfatma at 09:27 AM on May 08, 2013

Moyes

A grumpy Scot in charge at United? That'll never work.

I presume if it is him we'll see Fellaini in red ten minutes later, which is a scary thought because, with motivation, Fellaini's an unstoppable combination of hair and elbows.

posted by Mr Bismarck at 11:05 AM on May 08, 2013

I understand that because the club is an NYSE traded company they had an obligation to release the news once it leaked out but it seems strange to me they couldn't keep it quiet for 12 more days. Also, bigger question, why now? Hip replacement will sideline SAF for the summer but isn't otherwise a big deal and I'd have thought he'd try one more time for a double or treble.

Still, can't say there's been a better manager in any major league over the same time frame as good as him. Phil Jackson and Scotty Bowman up there too but only make the Europa League in comparison; for me he's the only Champions League qualifier.

posted by billsaysthis at 12:12 PM on May 08, 2013

That crash you heard was from NBC Sports: one part of its EPL promoo, of what fans will see, is "Every Fergie Time Robbery."

I keep reading about Mourinho; can't see him going there, can't see Man U fans wanting him there (much like Chelsea fans before Rafa was hired). Man U's too classy an organization to get an egotist who had a way of getting under peoples' skin. Moyes appears to be the full opposite; he'd finally get to experience the Champions League. Everton's always looking through the storefront window at the top 4.

posted by jjzucal at 12:43 PM on May 08, 2013

But now I'm left wondering if Everton missed out on Europe this year in part because Moyes was playing footsie instead footy.

posted by yerfatma at 12:58 PM on May 08, 2013

Also, bigger question, why now?

Before the last home game of the 13th Championship season.

Because you don't want your farewell to the fans to be after a boring 0-0 at The Hawthorns.

posted by owlhouse at 09:35 PM on May 08, 2013

Appointing Moyes in his place removes both the first and third on the list of the Premier League's longest-surviving managers. Wenger goes top with 17 years, but there really aren't many managers with any longevity beneath him.

It feels like the appropriate choice, although it'll be a heartbreaker for Everton fans. Heck, I have friends who are Preston fans who still pined his move to Goodison back in 2002.

The Fergie Era warped time and space. Eric Cantona retired in 1997. I bet there are players on United's books now who weren't born then.

posted by etagloh at 11:19 PM on May 08, 2013

David Moyes is frantically googling the name "Frank O'Farrell".

posted by owlhouse at 02:21 AM on May 09, 2013

it'll be a heartbreaker for Everton fans

Pretty much so, but I wish him the best. It has the potential for a bit of Greek Tragedy though: "Thought you could compete if you just had the money? Well here's everything you could want, now go do it." I'm come to grips with losing Fellani, but if Moyes nicks Baines I'm going to hide under the covers for a few years.

posted by yerfatma at 09:01 AM on May 09, 2013

Everton announce Moyes is leaving.

posted by yerfatma at 11:41 AM on May 09, 2013

And Man U announce he's arriving.

posted by yerfatma at 11:58 AM on May 09, 2013

ManU appointed Gollum's younger brother.

posted by billsaysthis at 03:19 PM on May 09, 2013

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