By DAN KARELL
For those wondering who might be the next Manchester United manager, the picture just became much more clear.
Everton FC confirmed on Thursday morning that David Moyes would be leaving the club at the end of the season, ending an 11-year run at Goodison Park. In his time at Everton, Moyes has guided the Toffees to a top-ten finish in all but three seasons, running the club on a shoestring budget but grinding out results. Prior to his stay at Everton, Moyes coached Preston North End for four seasons.
(UPDATED- Manchester United has announced the signing of David Moyes to a six-year deal to become the team’s new manager next season).
“When we discussed the candidates that we felt had the right attributes we unanimously agreed on David Moyes,” Ferguson said in a statement issued by the club. “David is a man of great integrity with a strong work ethic. I’ve admired his work for a long time and approached him as far back as 1998 to discuss the position of Assistant Manager here.
“He was a young man then at the start of his career and has since gone on to do a magnificent job at Everton. There is no question he has all the qualities we expect of a manager at this Club.”
Here are some more stories to get your Thursday started:
MONTERREY KNOCKS OFF TOP SEED TIGRES
Eighth-seeded Monterrey pulled off the biggest win of the night on the opening night of the Liga MX Clausura playoffs, taking down top-seeded Tigres UANL by a score of 1-0. Star forward Humberto Suazo scored the only goal of the match in the 19th minute, giving his side a massive advantage as they head towards the second leg on Saturday in Nuevo Leon.
Also in Liguilla action on Wednesday, Club America defeated Pumas UNAM, 1-0, in another edition of the Clasico Capitalino. Young Mexico international forward Raul Jimenez scored the lone goal for the visitors in the 29th minute as the stage shifts to Estadio Azteca for the second-leg on Saturday.
ROONEY ASKS TO LEAVE MAN UNITED
As much as Sir Alex Ferguson had been a fixture at Manchester United for the better part of two and a half decades, so has forward Wayne Rooney, wearing the Red shirt for the last nine seasons.
If the latest news says anything though, Rooney has decided it’s time for a shirt change.
The England international shocked the club and world when reports came out on Wednesday evening that he has put in a transfer request, the second time he has done so during his long tenure with the club. Rooney has been linked before with Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, but it seemed just a week ago like a very outside chance that he would join either of those clubs.
Now, with the news of the transfer request, the new Manchester United boss may be missing one of the best strikers the Premier League has seen come the start of next season. In his time at United, Rooney has scored 141 Premier League goals, including 27 last season.
United has responded to the reports by releasing a statement saying that Rooney is not for sale.
QUICK KICKS
Aston Villa captain and former Bulgaria international Stiliyan Petrov has decided to officially hang up his boots, as he continues his fight against leukemia. (REPORT)
Barcelona defender Carles Puyol has denied any claims he is negotiating a transfer to AC Milan. (REPORT)
Inter Milan, Champions League winners in 2010, will be out of Europe next season for the first time since 1999. (REPORT)
Mesut Ozil suffered an ankle injury in Real Madrid’s 6-2 victory on Wednesday, potentially ruling him out of the Copa del Rey final. (REPORT)
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What do you make of these reports? Who do you think would be a good candidate to take over at Everton? Do you like Monterrey’s chances to advance? Do you see Rooney leaving United this summer?
Share your thoughts below.