Moyes resigns as Sunderland boss in new setback to once-glowing career
● Scot has lasted less than a year in each of his three jobs since Goodison Park exit
David Moyes resigned as Sunderland manager yesterday following relegation from the English Premier League, having failed to revive a reputation damaged so badly at Manchester United.
Moyes made the decision to stand down following a meeting with chairman Ellis Short and chief executive Martin Bain.
After impressing during 11 years at Everton, Moyes has lasted less than a year in each of his three subsequent coaching positions.
The Scot’s once-glowing career started to go wrong at United, faltering as Siralex Ferguson’s successor, and he was dismissed after ten months in 2014.
He went to Spain but was dumped by Real Sociedad one day before completing a year in charge.
The 54-year-old got another chance in the Premier League when Sam Allardyce resigned from Sunderland for an ill-fated one-game stint as England manager.
Moyes was hired three weeks before the start of the season, giving him little time to assess the squad and set his transfer targets.
Moyes wasn’t handed much money to spend by Sunderland’s American owner, Short, intensifying the belief that
0 Moyes: Clear from start of season that Sunderland lacked quality. Short was looking to get out of a club he has owned since 2009.
He ended up making lastditch signings and it was clear from the start that Sunderland’s squad was lacking quality.
Sunderland dropped into the second tier after finishing last in the Premier League with only six wins from 38 games.
“I pursued the services of David Moyes for a considerable period prior to his appointment last summer, which makes the announcement of his departure difficult for everyone concerned,” Short said.
“Having worked tirelessly throughout the campaign to avoid relegation from the Premier League, David has chosen to leave the club without compensation, which is testament to his character.”
Moyes said: “I would like to thank Ellis Short and the board for giving me the opportunity to manage Sunderland and the fans for always being so passionately supportive of their club.
“I wish the players and my successor well in their efforts towards promotion back to the Premier League.”
Moyes leaves while still under an English Football Association investigation over sexist remarks for telling a female reporter she “might get a slap” for the questions she asked during a BBC interview. Aberdeen forward Cammy Smith has agreed a twoyear deal with St Mirren as he wants regular first-team football.
The 21-year-old product of the Pittodrie youth system made his Aberdeen debut at just 16 in 2012 and went on to feature in 89 games, although more than half of them as a substitute.
Smith joined Dundee United on a temporary basis last July, but that deal was cut short due to a lack of appearances and the Scotland under-21 international headed to Paisley in January. The Saints escaped relegation despite looking doomed when Smith joined and he he has now signed on a permanent basis.
Smith said: “Since I came to St Mirren I have played every week. I have liked being here and the manager and his coaching staff were a massive aspect of me coming back here.
“Game time is massive at this stage of my career. I still feel I am quite young, but I feel now at a stage where I need to play every week.” Falkirk have announced the departures of eight players after the club’s failure to make this week’s play-off final.
Striker Bob Mchugh, left-back Luke Leahy, winger Fraser Aird and youngsters Kyle Johnson, Cameron Eadie and Lewis Mcminn will all leave when their contracts expire in the coming weeks.
On-loan keeper Danny Rogers has returned to Aberdeen and veteran defenderdavidmccracken is discussing a non-playing role for next season.
The departures will help free up funds to strengthen for another push for promotion next term. Manager Peter Houston said: “We have to try to bring in a wee bit of quality here and there if we can, and go again next season. Hopefully we can come back bigger and stronger.”