Gary Neville Slams Indecent Sacking of David Moyes by Manchester United
Former Manchester United right-back Gary Neville has lambasted his old club's decision to axe David Moyes, saying "there's a lack of decency now in how football managers are treated."
Neville, a pundit with Sky Sports, spoke honestly after the news of Moyes' sacking broke, per BBC Sport. He told television channel Sky Sports News that, while the Scottish manager should have been given time, this season's decline hasn't been easy viewing:
"As a professional, I believe in managers being given time, they should be allowed to complete their work. The idea of giving them three, four or six-year contracts and then getting rid of them after 10 months is something thatโs foreign to me.
However, thereโs no denying the football has been poor, the results have been poor, as a fan Iโve not enjoyed watching it and Iโm sure David Moyes himself hasnโt enjoyed watching it. I canโt imagine many United fans havenโt enjoyed watching it either.
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Neville played under Sir Alex Ferguson for his entire club career and is part of United's famous "Class of '92," a generation that propelled the team to international recognition. He suggests continuity and loyalty is missing from football, as managers like Moyes are destined to be "tossed around" and "chucked in the bin" when they aren't performing up to expectations.
Many believe United's current squad should take the blame for Moyes' departure. Although the 50-year-old's tactics appeared inept and often wasted talented individuals' main attributes, Neville suggests the playing staff must take a long look at themselves as this saga comes to a close.
"The players have to take massive responsibility," said Neville. "Theyโre the ones who go out on that football pitch. I never once in my 17 or 18-year career came off the pitch and thought, 'You lost us that game.'"
Neville also acknowledges the lack of confidence Moyes instilled into his squad. He suggests it is a more economically viable solution to change bosses than immediately dispose of under-performing stars:
โThe fact is you donโt sack 24 players. And those players are not as bad as theyโre showing. Iโve played with them, the ones I know are desperate to do well for the club. Theyโre just lost confidence and belief," said Neville.
He continues by suggesting Moyes' ability to lose the dressing room "ultimately" ended his tenure. Neville said this is "the last thing that can happen to a United player," especially considering any wearer of the red shirt is expected to play with confidence, style and ambition. "Ultimately the manager takesย responsibility,"ย concluded the pundit, who ended his playing career in 2011.
Neville raises many interesting points and highlights the difficulty of modern-day football management. Although Moyes' stint in charge was brief, he failed to provide United fans with any source ofย positivity.ย Tactics were negative, his interviews appeared defeatist and he failed to stamp any sense of character into the famous club.
Phil McNulty of BBC Sport highlighted this when saying Moyes' "talking up" of an "abject" loss to Everton confirmed "he simply could not come to terms with the standards the club and their supporters demand."
In the end, Moyes' failure to do this ensured an end to his time as Old Trafford boss. While many United fans will be disappointed to see their club sack a manager early into the job, keeping an individual who clearly doesn't fit the side's ethos is a bigger mistake.
Neville, Moyes and the fans know the current squad possesses decent potential, but it needs an overhaul. This transition appears to have started from the top and ensures United are about to embark on a second successive summer of change.
