A result for sanity

Gary Neville believes the appointment of David Moyes as Sir Alex Ferguson’s managerial successor at Manchester United is a “result for sanity in football”.

The Everton manager will take over at the end of this season after the Reds boss announced his shock retirement on Wednesday, bringing down the curtain on a glorious 26-year reign that saw 38 major honours head to Old Trafford during an unprecedented era of dominance.
Speaking to Sky Sports on Wednesday, prior to Moyes’ arrival at United, Neville championed the idea of hiring the Toffees boss and explained why the Scot is the perfect candidate to maintain and inspire success at the Theatre of Dreams.
“I’d welcome it and it makes sense,” Gary said. “You can read David Gill’s comments about wanting somebody who respects the history and traditions of the club, somebody who is there for the long-term, to know this is not a club that goes for quick fixes. It hasn’t worked that way through history.
“Sir Matt Busby was given time throughout the 1950s and 60s. Even Ron Atkinson, and other managers who maybe weren’t as successful as you might have expected, were given time. I think this will be a result for sanity in football; the appointment of the next Manchester United manager.
"I’ve seen some appointments in the last two years which, for me, show the nature of the modern world – a populist, short-term fix," he continued. ”Manchester United do not operate that way. They have an element of sense and they have always had that throughout the last 50 to 60 years.”

With regard to Sir
Alex’s retirement as manager, Neville was understandably disappointed to see his former boss and mentor leave the club that he has supported all his life. But the Treble winner is certain United will move on and is confident of more success in the future.
“It has always been the day that every Manchester United fan has dreaded for the last 10 years. We didn’t want this day to come but the club will always move on. It’s a massive club. It moved on from the Munich Air Disaster, it moved on from Sir Matt Busby and it will move on from Sir Alex Ferguson.
“People ask how the next manager will be able to replace him because of the comparison. It’s quite simple: play attractive football, bring young players through and win a championship.
“The fans and club will support you. This is not a stupid football club. This is not one of those crazy clubs that changes its manager every 10 minutes. The new manager will need time and the club will need time to move on, but there are sensible people there.”