Turbulent start to Moyes’ reign after plane hitch
DAVID MOYES’ reign as Sunderland manager got off to a bumpy start after the plane carrying the first-team squad to Switzerland had to make an emergency landing in Manchester yesterday.
A technical fault with one of the engines saw the aircraft, flying from Newcastle to Geneva, make an unscheduled stop at Manchester Airport.
Moyes and the first- team squad departed the faulty aircraft before boarding a new plane to continue their journey to Switzerland.
The 53-year-old, who had been out of work since being sacked by Real Sociedad in November, was appointed Sam Allardyce’s successor on Saturday morning, signing a four-year deal at the Stadium of Light.
Moyes was in the stands to see his new team defeat Sky Bet Championship side Rotherham 2-1 in a pre-season friendly at the AESSEAL New York Stadium on Saturday.
The former Everton and Manchester United manager received a warm welcome from the travelling Sunderland supporters in south Yorkshire and he showed his appreciation on the pitch at full-time.
Moyes will be able to take an even closer look at his squad during their pre- season tour of Switzerland and France, with matches scheduled against Stade Nyonnais, Dijon and Montpellier.
Meanwhile, keeper Vito Mannone says Sunderland must adapt to Moyes’ style of football as quickly as possible
The Italian revealed the incoming manager took time to introduce himself to the players before the game before he watched the match from the stand.
He said: “He was in quickly just to meet up at lunch. He shook our hands and that was it really. We didn’t have time to listen to him or to talk to him. He just said: ‘Go on and win’.
“He’s a manager who comes in and who knows the Premier League which is the main thing. Obviously we will try and be as quick as possible to get into his style of football and his head. That’s what you need to do, really.”