I thought about quoting from my previous blog posts about why David Moyes isn’t to blame for Manchester United’s struggles this season. Reading through them however, it dawned on me that even I have to admit that the lack of any real progress was probably his greatest undoing.
I won’t spend this space explaining what went wrong and why—that’s been done already—but what I will say is that from Day 1 it was a gamble, and if we really need one target to find fault with then it has to be with ownership. They allowed the departing icon to choose his replacement rather than doing due diligence on other potential candidates. Moreover, they failed to realize that the enormous holes in this squad were going to make any transition difficult.
I am happy to lay the blame at the doorstep of the Glazer household, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t lost a whole whack of respect for the veterans on Manchester United who, clearly, acted like spoiled teenagers whose parents had left the house for a few days.
The question now is who will be Moyes’s long-term replacement? Dutch national team manager Louis Van Gaal is the favourite, and I think he would be a fine choice. However, just because Jurgen Klopp says he isn’t leaving Borussia Dortmund doesn’t satisfy me. I wrote last week that he doesn’t need to leave, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be lured with riches beyond his wildest dreams. It doesn’t mean he can’t be made to want to leave. This is modern football, Klopp to United is possible.
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Jose Bore-inho?
Can’t say I was too impressed by the Champions League this week. I was also not surprised. I criticized the Atletico vs Chelsea match mercilessly, with particular attention paid to the Londoners and their boss, Jose Mourinho. I do need to clarify a couple of points though: Yes, I am well aware this is how ‘The Boring One’ approaches such matches, especially on the road; and no, it did not surprise me. However, I have never sold myself as a deep-thinking tactical master, therefore I am happy just to say that I was bored. It was boring, a dreadful spectacle.
Get back to right back
Fortunately, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich put on a better display. Real were tested, but Carlo Ancelotti proved his worth as one of the best managers in the business, clearly outfoxing Pep Guardiola. As for Bayern, what has happened to their ruthless touch? They seem to have lost their swagger in the final third. I have to agree with Gary Neville too, in saying that Philipp Lahm is the best right back in world football—and he should always play right back, not in defensive midfield where he’s been employed for much of the season and where he was played against Madrid. I understand Pep’s thinking, and to be fair it has worked for much of this season, especially when Rafinha was on-song, but surely now is the time to stick Lahm back where he belongs?
Season-ending BPL thoughts
Is this the weekend that the Premier League is settled? Liverpool have a very strong relationship with the Champions League, and it appears the European Cup Gods are smiling on them even when they are not involved. Injuries to Chelsea against Atletico will guarantee a weakened Blues team come to Anfield on Sunday in a match that may well decide the BPL title. Now is the time for Liverpool: the Reds might not get a better opportunity for a very long time.
But having said that, there’s this: Liverpool’s trip to Crystal Palace in two weeks’ time terrifies me as a Liverpool fan. Palace are suddenly giant-killers, knocking off Chelsea a few weeks ago and Everton earlier this month. Well done Tony Pulis!
Back to Moyes for a second. One thing always bothered me: He admitted that when Fergie invited him over, he felt awkward because he was out shopping with his wife and ordinarily would never have worn jeans over to Sir Alex’s house. Jeans! Fergie was an opponent, a man he competed against. I understand respect, but that is subservience isn’t it?
A final thought. If Arsene Wenger leaves Arsenal this summer, an Arsenal vs. United scrap to land the best manager might be the highlight of the next few months… Brazil 2014 included!
James Sharman hosts Soccer Central, weeknights on Sportsnet World and Sportsnet ONE at 7 pm ET. Follow him on Twitter.