When the Manchester United board had the responsibility of replacing arguably the greatest ever football manager ever to live, Sir Alex Ferguson, it was only natural that the great man had a say in the appointment himself. David Moyes was given the nod and signed a long-term deal, but I said it then and I’ll say it now, it was the wrong appointment.
For me, instead of giving the job to someone Fergie was friends with I suggested that the board employed someone who the Scot hated, or at least disliked. After all, the only people he hated were the best, weren’t they? He had a run in with plenty of managers, but those who got the better of him were the ones that grated on him.
Failing that, there was one man who stood out for me, and he was in charge of the team that Ferguson has openly admitted that he learned a lot from – Juventus.
Antionio Conte has been in charge of the club for two full seasons and although it wasn’t his side in particular that Fergie publicly admired, but he followed the same tactically-astute style of management to how the Turin side traditionally play. He played over 400 games for the club, after all.
Conte lead Juventus to consecutive Serie A titles in his two seasons in charge and as also picked up two Italian Cups.
He has transformed the team into fast-flowing, exciting team all while being secure at the back. They have won all but two games in the league this season and sit three points clear, as well as having Paul Pogba – a man they snatched from under United’s noses – at the heart of their side.
He’s proved himself in every aspect of management – he’s got the people skills, the intelligence and the respect needed and he’s succeeded in the transfer market. For me, he is the man to lead United to glory, not Moyes, and the board should act upon that sooner rather than later.