Moyes humbled by United hotseat

David Moyes has declared himself ready to meet the challenge of following the most successful manager English football has ever known.

After two days of intense speculation and two false starts, Manchester United have confirmed Moyes will succeed Alex Ferguson from July 1.

The Scot comes with the support of the man who has spent almost 27 years in the United hotseat and will remain on the board to offer advice.

And just as outgoing chief executive David Gill claimed it was a “dream job”, so Moyes, far from viewing it as the poisoned chalice some have claimed, feels it represents an opportunity he simply could not turn down.

“I know how hard it will be to follow the best manager ever, but the opportunity to manage Manchester United isn’t something that comes around very often,” said Moyes.

“I am really looking forward to taking up the post next season.”

As it was obvious Moyes would get the job by lunchtime on Wednesday, there was no surprise in the announcement.

It certainly did not warrant the frenzy that preceded it, which even included two messages posted on United’s official Facebook page that needed to be hastily taken down.

Whilst that social media faux-pas will be the cause of some embarrassment given how United like to champion the fact they have 33million fans on the network, the official statement that came out an hour later underlined why Moyes had been given the job.

For, in giving the 50-year-old a six-year contract, twice as long as Mourinho has spent in any job, United have shown their desire to hire someone willing to immerse themselves in every facet of the club, just as Ferguson has done throughout his unparalleled tenure.

It is why Ferguson had no hesitation in recommending Moyes for the job.

“It is a great honour to be asked to be the next manager of Manchester United,” said Moyes.

“I am delighted Alex saw fit to recommend me for the job. I have great respect for everything he has done,” he added.

Moyes was back at Everton’s Finch Farm HQ yesterday to tell his players he was leaving.

Such is the esteem in which Moyes is held that, like Ferguson, he will see out the campaign with his present club, bidding farewell at Goodison Park after Sunday’s encounter with West Ham.

“I had a terrific job at Everton, with a tremendous chairman and board of directors and a great set of players,” said Moyes.

“Everton’s fantastic fans have played a big part in making my years at Goodison so enjoyable.

“I thank them wholeheartedly for the support they have given me and the players.

Everton will be close to me for the rest of my life and between now and the end of the season, I will do everything in my power to make sure we finish as high as possible in the table.”