West Ham boss lends backing to under-fire Moyes.
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West Ham manager Sam Allardyce believes David Moyes is still learning to cope with a new kind of pressure at Manchester United, but is backing him to succeed at Old Trafford.
In his column for the London Evening Standard, Allardyce said that Moyes will have known the expectations would be high when he made the decision to leave Everton and replace the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, and that he still needs time to get to know his team.
Moyes came under some strong criticism last weekend after his side were humbled 4-1 by rivals Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, leading to many to question whether or not the Scot was the right choice to replace Ferguson this season yesterday’s home defeat to West Brom has merely added even more pressure on the Scot.
However, Allardyce pointed out as well that Ferguson himself will have had a big say in the appointment of Moyes as his successor, and that the former United boss will still be around to help the 50-year-old out in some capacity.
“David Moyes realised exactly what he was taking on when he succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United,” he said.
“He knew full well that, once his team were defeated — and particularly by their noisy neighbours — the comparisons would be made and questions asked.
“There are many who expect United to repeat last season’s achievement of winning the Premier League but that is not easy to do.
“What David will be learning now is how to deal with the pressure that comes with being manager of the champions.
“Do not forget Sir Alex played a big part in choosing the man to succeed him.
“Far from being a brooding presence, as some have suggested, Sir Alex will always be there to help David should he need it. That can only be beneficial.”
Moyes started his managerial career at Preston North End in 1998, before spending over a decade in charge of Everton, where he earned plaudits for over-achieving with the Merseyside club.