Soccer

Glazers to meet Woodward over new Man United coach

Owners want clear strategy regarding how to pursue prime target Louis van Gaal

David Moyes: “To have been appointed as manager of Manchester United, one of the biggest football clubs in the world, was and remains something of which I will always be incredibly proud”. Photograph: PA Wire
David Moyes: “To have been appointed as manager of Manchester United, one of the biggest football clubs in the world, was and remains something of which I will always be incredibly proud”. Photograph: PA Wire
Jamie Jackson
Wed Apr 23 2014 - 23:02

The Glazers will fly in to Manchester to meet executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward tomorrow for discussions about David Moyes’s replacement as United manager.

Led by Joel Glazer, the owners want to ensure a clear strategy is established regarding how to pursue their prime target, thought to be Louis van Gaal.

With the Holland coach taking up official duties on May 7th at a training camp for Netherlands-based players, Van Gaal and the Dutch Football Association have said that any action regarding his post-World Cup future should finish before then so that he can concentrate on the tournament.

Van Gaal has been clear that if this does not occur he is content to wait until mid-July, when the tournament ends and his contract expires, to find a club. Woodward is aware of the deadline and believes that if Van Gaal is to be the prime target a deal for him to take over after Brazil 2014 can a be signed off and announced before then.

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Woodward will discuss this and other potential candidates, who include Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti, with the Glazers, along with transfer strategy.

The Glazers are thought to want a more hands-on role in finding Moyes’s successor than last year when they allowed Sir Alex Ferguson to choose the Everton manager as his replacement.

Moyes took a parting shot at United’s players by stating the squad requires “fundamental rebuilding” on a day when the League Managers Association chief executive, Richard Bevan, claimed the sacking was done unprofessionally.

Moyes was told he would be removed early on Tuesday. Yet he believes he was treated in a shabby manner as news of his probable removal broke the previous afternoon.

Moyes chose to focus on the failings of the squad and it was notable no thanks were offered to the players. “We were fully focused and committed to the process of the fundamental rebuilding that is required for the senior squad . . . However, during this period of transition, performances and results have not been what Manchester United and its fans are used to or expect, and I both understand . . . their frustration.

Guardian Service