Manchester United is undoubtedly one of the biggest and most successful football clubs in the world, with a rich history dating back to 1878. Sir Alex Ferguson, who managed the club from 1986 to 2013, is considered one of the greatest managers of all time, having won 38 trophies during his reign. Since his departure, however, United has struggled to find a manager who can replicate his success. In this article, we'll take a look at the post-Ferguson era and the managers who have tried to fill his shoes.
David Moyes (2013-2014)
David Moyes was appointed as Ferguson's successor in May 2013, but his tenure was short-lived. Moyes struggled to adapt to the demands of managing a club of United's stature, and the team's performances suffered. United finished the 2013-14 season in seventh place, their worst finish in the Premier League era. Moyes was sacked in April 2014, just ten months after his appointment.
Despite his struggles at United, Moyes has since rebuilt his reputation at other clubs, most notably at West Ham United. His ability to turn around the fortunes of a struggling team has been applauded, but his time at United will always be remembered as a failure.
Louis van Gaal (2014-2016)
Louis van Gaal, a highly respected and experienced manager, was appointed as Moyes' replacement in the summer of 2014. Van Gaal had an impressive resume, having won titles with Ajax, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and the Netherlands national team. However, his tenure at United was characterized by a lack of attacking flair and a rigid tactical approach.
Van Gaal did manage to win the FA Cup in 2016, but he was sacked just days later, with United having finished fifth in the league. His style of play was heavily criticized by fans and pundits alike, and his failure to qualify for the Champions League in his second season was seen as a major disappointment.
Jose Mourinho (2016-2018)
Jose Mourinho, a controversial and outspoken manager, was appointed as Van Gaal's successor in 2016. Mourinho had a proven track record of success, having won titles with Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid. However, his tenure at United was fraught with controversy and disappointment.
United did win the Europa League and the League Cup in Mourinho's first season, but they finished second in the league in his second season, a distant 19 points behind champions Manchester City. Mourinho's relationship with some of his players became strained, and his negative tactics were heavily criticized by fans and pundits alike. He was sacked in December 2018, with United having made their worst start to a season in 28 years.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (2018-present)
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, a former United player and fan favorite, was appointed as caretaker manager following Mourinho's departure. Solskjaer had limited managerial experience, having previously managed Molde in Norway and Cardiff City in the Premier League. However, he quickly won over the United fans with his attacking style of play and his willingness to give young players a chance.
United enjoyed a remarkable run of form under Solskjaer, winning 14 of his first 19 games in charge. He was subsequently appointed as the permanent manager in March 2019, but his honeymoon period was short-lived. United struggled for consistency in his first full season in charge, finishing sixth in the league and failing to qualify for the Champions League. However, Solskjaer has since rebuilt the team and led them to a second-place finish in the 2020-21 season, their best finish since Ferguson's retirement.
Conclusion
Since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013, Manchester United has struggled to find a manager who can replicate his success. David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, and Jose Mourinho all struggled to adapt to the demands of managing such a big club, and their tenures were characterized by disappointment and controversy. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, however, has shown promise and has led United to their best finish in the league since Ferguson's retirement. Only time will tell if he can restore United to their former glory, but he has certainly given fans reason to be hopeful.
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