The Sunderland chief executive says experience was a key part, as well as being a ‘builder’.
Sunderland chief executive Martin Bain has told the club’s official website that David Moyes’ experience was one of the key factors in appointing him as Sam Allardyce’s successor.
Moyes had spent 11 years as manager of Everton, which was widely hailed as a success given he preserved their Premier League status and built from there. But he also had short and unsuccessful spells in charge of Manchester United and Real Sociedad prior to his appointment at the Stadium of Light.
Bain told the official Sunderland website: “I think David is one of the top four most experienced managers in the Premier League history – in terms of the number of games he’s been involved in and managed – and fundamentally that experienced coupled with David’s longer-term approach to life.
“I think he’s a builder, I think he’s a guy who absolutely understands the need to win first and foremost, but understands the parallel that the job he has come here to do – and the job I have come here to do – is to build, and almost rebuild – and that’s not in anyway to be disingenuous to anyone who has been before me but I think it’s apparent we have got a journey to embark upon here.
“When I first met David, we obviously had to discuss a little bit about the past but together working as a partnership now we can’t change the past but we can certainly change the future and we now have to look forward. So, from both our perspectives it’s very much about rebuilding.”
Bain talked a lot about the club embarking on a journey and the club’s identity. However, the winning side of things has only been seen in two EFL Cup games so far this season, with Sunderland in the last-16 of the competition where they face a trip to Southampton next week.
In the Premier League, they only have two points from their opening eight games to show for their efforts and seem to be heading for another battle to stay in the division.
If the comments from the club’s CEO are anything to go by, it seems there will be no knee-jerk reaction despite the bad start and bookmakers indicating that Moyes is under pressure. But the focus on rebuilding suggests a long term approach from the club.
However if results do not improve then that thinking surrounding the manager’s role could alter a little, even if there is some warm rhetoric in this case.
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