Manchester United has hired David Moyes to replace Sir Alex Ferguson as the club’s new manager at the end of the season.
United’s legendary boss announced on Wednesday that he would retire after the conclusion of the current campaign and the club has wasted no time in announcing his successor.
Everton confirmed earlier on Thursday that Moyes would leave Goodison Park at season’s end and the Scot is set to officially take the reigns at Old Trafford on July 1.
Moyes signed a six-year contract with United and admitted he is relishing the challenge ahead.
“It’s a great honor to be asked to be the next manager of Manchester United,” he beamed. “I am delighted that Sir Alex saw fit to recommend me for the job. I have great respect for everything he has done at the club.
“I know how hard it will be to follow the best manager ever but the opportunity to manage Manchester United is not something that comes up very often and I’m really looking forward to taking up the post next season.”
The 50 year old will be replacing a man who won 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups and two Champions League trophies during his storied time at Old Trafford.
Moyes will not be officially introduced to the media until after the season as he still has two games to go in charge as Everton’s boss.
Ferguson was pleased with the hire and revealed that he recommended Moyes for the job.
“We unanimously agreed on David Moyes,” he said. “David is a man of great integrity with a strong work ethic. I’ve admired his work for a long time and approached him as far back as 1998 to discuss the potential of assistant manager here.”
Manchester United’s hiring of David Moyes puts an end to speculation linking Jose Mourinho with the Red Devils but it remains to be seen if the club will continue to dominant the English game under the Scot’s direction.