Arsene Wenger warned the high turnover of top-flight coaches could affect the quality of coaching
Rival Premier League managers have criticised Manchester United’s decision to sack David Moyes just 10 months after replacing Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford.
Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini expressed surprise over the timing of Moyes’ dismissal while Arsene Wenger warned the high turnover of top-flight coaches could affect the quality of coaching in the English game.
Meanwhile, a number of former United stars including Steve Bruce, Mark Hughes and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer backed Ryan Giggs to succeed as he prepares to head into his first game as interim player-manager.
Pellegrini said it was “a pity” that Moyes had been sacked so early into his United career.
Pellegrini said: “It is a pity for David Moyes because I think he is a very good manager, that is why Manchester United chose him to continue the work that Sir Alex Ferguson did. But I don’t know the reasons they have. It is always not good for the club to sack a manager who has a contract who is just starting his work.”
Wenger (pictured), now far and away the longest-serving Premier League manager having taken charge of the north London club in 1996, was dismayed that United had not stuck with Moyes and warned such decisions could have wider consequences.
“If you want quality people in any job, you need to give them time to become good, or people with the quality will not come into our job any more,” he said.
“The average (job life) expectancy of an English professional club at the moment is 11 months, and that is quite unstable. Every guy who is married, has a family, will have a big hesitancy before he goes into that game.
“That means the quality of the coaching and the quality of the managing is under threat.”
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho said he had spoken to former Everton boss Moyes, but declined to reveal what was said.
Like Wenger, Tottenham head coach Tim Sherwood insisted Moyes’ dismissal had come too early and complained that British managers “don’t get a fair crack of the whip”.
Sherwood added: “It’s obviously a shame when anyone loses their job and it’s a shame that David hadn’t been given the time.”
Hughes expressed disquiet over the circumstances of Moyes’ departure but went on to praise the appointment of Giggs, insisting: “It’s probably right, the only appointment given the week that Manchester United have had. It makes total sense. The knowledge and understanding of the place that he has is invaluable for them.”
Bruce, who played alongside Giggs during his time as club captain, believes he could yet edge out high-profile bosses such as Louis van Gaal and Carlo Ancelotti.
“There’s been a lot of players who have jumped in – (Pep) Guardiola springs to mind, (Jurgen), Klinsmann. And the one thing it won’t do is faze Ryan, he’s been at Man United all his life,” said the Hull manager.
Solskjaer said he had spoken to Giggs this week and hoped United could do the Welsh club a favour, with their next two games coming against two of Cardiff’s relegation rivals.
Solskjaer added: “Giggsy has got all the attributes to become a top, top manager one day.”
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