David Moyes in from the cold to take charge at Real Sociedad.
David Moyes has been appointed as Real Sociedad’s new manager until the end of next season. Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters
David Moyes has been named as the coach of Real Sociedad on an 18-month deal. Moyes, who was sacked by Manchester United in April following a dismal first season in charge at Old Trafford, has been handed a contract until June 2016 with the Spanish club.
“Real Sociedad has reached an agreement with David Moyes to be the first-team coach until 30 June 2016,” a statement on the club’s website read.
Moyes will be presented to the media on Tuesday and replaces Jagoba Arrasate, who was sacked by the San Sebastian-based club on 2 November after a poor start to the season.
The 51-year-old replaced the retired Sir Alex Ferguson at United on a six-year deal in May last year but left after less than a season. In 51 matches in charge at Old Trafford, the club won 27, drew nine and lost 15 in all competitions.
Moyes made his reputation as a top-flight coach at Everton, who finished in the top six in the Premier League four times under the Scot. They qualified for the Champions League in 2005 and reached the 2009 FA Cup final, where they lost 2-1 to Chelsea after beating Manchester United in the semi-finals.
Sociedad are 15th in La Liga with nine points from 11 matches following Sunday’s 2-1 win at home to the champions Atlético Madrid. Arrasate was dismissed in the wake of a hugely disappointing start to the campaign which saw Sociedad - who finished fourth in 2013 and seventh last term - win one of their opening 10 league fixtures as well as being eliminated from the Europa League.
The former West Brom and Real Betis manager Pepe Mel was also in the running to replace Arrasate but Moyes was reportedly always Sociedad’s first choice and they confirmed his appointment late on Monday night.
Moyes’ first game in charge is set to be the trip to promoted Deportivo La Coruña after the international break. He becomes the fourth British manager of Sociedad, following in the footsteps of Englishman Harry Lowe and the Welsh duo John Toshack and Chris Coleman.
Lowe was manager for five years from 1930, while Toshack has had three different stints at Sociedad, beginning in 1985 and then most recently in 2002.
The Wales manager Coleman was appointed on a three-year contract in July 2007 after Sociedad were relegated to the Segunda Division for the first time in 40 years.
Coleman resigned from his post in January 2008, citing a difference of ideas with new president Inaki Badiola, having led Sociedad up to fifth in the table and one point off the promotion places.
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