Man Utd: Ratcliffe’s SHOCK Manager ‘Never Hire’ - Hesgoal

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has publicly stated the one managerial appointment he would have avoided at Old Trafford: David Moyes.

The departure of legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013 marked the end of an era of unparalleled success for Manchester United. Ferguson, after a glorious reign that culminated in a Premier League title win in his final season, left a void that the club has struggled to fill ever since.

During his illustrious tenure, Sir Alex Ferguson transformed Manchester United into a global powerhouse, securing an unprecedented 13 Premier League titles and two coveted Champions League trophies, among a plethora of other silverware. His retirement, however, ushered in a period of instability and underperformance for the Red Devils, as they struggled to maintain their position among Europe’s elite.

In the years following Ferguson’s exit, a series of high-profile managers, including David Moyes, Jose Mourinho, Louis van Gaal, and currently Erik ten Hag, have been entrusted with the task of restoring Manchester United to its former glory. Despite their individual pedigrees and efforts, none have yet managed to replicate the sustained success enjoyed under Ferguson’s leadership.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe on Manchester United Managerial Choices

Speaking candidly in a recent interview, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the INEOS chairman who now holds a co-ownership stake in Manchester United, pinpointed the appointment of David Moyes as a decision he would have steered clear of. Moyes, handpicked by Ferguson himself as his successor, was given the unenviable task of following in the footsteps of a managerial icon.

Ratcliffe, in his interview with The Times, expressed his respect for Moyes as a manager but questioned the suitability of his appointment at that critical juncture. He stated, “Look, I like David Moyes, and I think he’s a really good manager, but to go from Sir Alex Ferguson to Moyes is not where I would have gone.”

Ratcliffe elaborated on his reasoning, highlighting the significant contrast between Ferguson’s unparalleled achievements and Moyes’ comparative lack of experience at the highest level. “Moyes stepped into the shoes of Ferguson, who’s won the Premier League 13 times, who won the Champions League twice, and then you’re handing over to a guy that has never managed big players and had never won anything [major],” Ratcliffe noted, adding, “He’s not necessarily got the personality to stand in front of them all.”

David Moyes struggled during his stint as Manchester United boss. Image: Getty

Ratcliffe further emphasized the need for top-tier appointments at all levels of the club, stating: “And I don’t think Real Madrid would have made that choice as coach. If you look at coaches, a club can’t always get it right, but they should have found the best chief executive in the world, and the best coach in the world, because Manchester United is the best club in the world. Instead they got both of those decisions wrong.”

David Moyes’ tenure at Manchester United lasted less than a full season. His record stands at 27 wins, 9 draws, and 15 losses in 51 matches. He was dismissed in April 2014 following a defeat to his former club, Everton. Ryan Giggs briefly took the reins as interim manager before Louis van Gaal was brought in as the permanent successor.

Ratcliffe’s comments provide a fascinating insight into the strategic thinking now being applied at Manchester United as the club looks to rebuild and return to its former heights under new leadership. His focus on top-level appointments signals a potential shift in approach and ambition at Old Trafford.