Security and stability breed success, says Moyes

Manchester United manager David Moyes insists stability and longevity are the magic ingredients for the most successful clubs.

Amazingly, of England’s 92 professional clubs, only 44 have a manager who has been in place longer than a year.

Just eight have been in place more than three and over the past few days, Steve Clarke and Andre Villas-Boas both lost their jobs at West Brom and Tottenham respectively, whilst Gianfranco Zola resigned from his position at Watford.

It makes Moyes feel immensely grateful that in his previous jobs at Preston and Everton he was afforded the time to implement his own ideas, a situation that is virtually certain to continue during his time at United.

“We are in a world where jobs change very quickly,” he said. “I don’t think that is right.

“The most successful clubs have had stability and longevity in their managers. That existed here with Alex Ferguson and look what Arsene Wenger has done at Arsenal as well.

“Folk might say they have not won as much as they would like but they have a stable football club that is going in the right direction, with a fantastic stadium they fill every week.

“You have to give managers the opportunity to manage.

“The more you keep chopping and changing the more turmoil there is and the more money you waste.”

The long-term approach at United means Moyes has not come under additional pressure following a troubled start to his reign, during which he has suffered five Premier League defeats, and seen reports emerge that Robin van Persie is considering his future.

He could do without the unrest given his side have just secured successive victories and if they beat Stoke at the Britannia Stadium tonight (kick-off 7:45pm, Sky Sports 1), they will have a Capital One Cup semi-final to look forward to next month.

Often derided as the Worthless Cup, the competition has proved important down the years.

It was Jose Mourinho’s first trophy as Chelsea manager, whilst when United won it in 2006, beating Wigan in the final, it was a significant landmark in the major rebuilding job undertaken by Ferguson following Roy Keane’s departure.

“I am desperate to get to Wembley,” said Moyes.

“I want to be seen as someone who has been successful and won trophies. It’s something that has eluded me so far but I am trying to make it happen and believe I am at the best club to do so.”