Moyes brings in his own coaching staff against Ferguson’s advice

Manchester United manager David Moyes decided to bring in his own coaching staff and remove the legacy coaches against the advice of Sir Alex Ferguson. That’s according to a new interview with former Manchester United goalkeeping coach Eric Steele in the United fanzine United We Stand.

Moyes had the opportunity to retain Sir Alex Ferguson’s coaching team that included Rene Meulensteen, Eric Steele and Mike Phelan, but he decided to axe them in favor of his own men — Steve Round, Phil Neville, Chris Woods and Jimmy Lumsden.

Steele said:

“He listened to [Sir Alex Ferguson’s] advice, but he wanted to be his own man.

“I didn’t want to leave. Why would I? I knew that David was coming in and wondered who he’d bring.

“You had the United perspective – the manager saying, ‘Keep what we’ve got, keep the continuity, work with them and they’ll guide you through. You’re taking on a massive machine here. You’ve gone from Marks and Spencer’s to Harrods.’

“Then there’s David’s viewpoint, which I understand. I know him professionally. I know his work ethic, his hands-on approach.

“I don’t blame him for doing what he did. I’ve been in the game long enough to know how it is.

“But it’s ironic, isn’t it? You’ve just been part of a team that has had a great season and won the league. David De Gea’s had his best season. Does it make sense that you’re not retained to continue the good work? Sadly, that’s out of my hands.”

Whether the decision by Moyes was a wise one, we’ll never know. But there is something to be said about an experienced coaching staff that helped Sir Alex Ferguson achieve so much at Old Trafford.