Nemanja Vidic Talks Man United’s Next Manager And The Extraordinary Moyes Era

The now-retired Man United legend spoke to the BBC about his past and possible future at his
beloved club.
In a wide ranging and candid interview with the BBC, the 34-year-old gave his take on who could potentially replace beleaguered Man United manager Louis van Gaal.
While unsure of who might get the nod between the two favourites of current assistant manager Ryan Giggs and ex-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, the Serbian appears to be leaning towards the latter, primarily for Jose’s experience at managerial level.
“I like the idea of Giggsy, but Mourinho has had success in the past,” Vidic said.

“It’s a hard choice. Is Giggsy ready or not? He knows. The club knows. I believe they will have an honest conversation. I want someone who knows the club and does the best for the club. I shared a dressing room with him. I know he will do that.

“Mourinho plays football in a certain way, that is well known, but I definitely respect Mourinho as a manager. He is one of the greatest ever, along with Pep Guardiola and Sir Alex Ferguson.”

Ferguson departed the club in 2013 after a legendary 26-year reign at the Theatre of Dreams. The unprecedented situation placed a gargantuan burden upon the shoulders of replacement and fellow Scot, David Moyes.
As one of the senior Man United stars at the time, Vidic was at the coalface during a tumultuous period which saw the Red Devils go from Premier League champions to seventh in just one season. The defender felt that Fergie’s ‘Chosen One’ got a raw deal.
“We felt the new manager would get time,” Vidic mused. “But after one month, the pressure started.”

“It was twice the pressure we had under Ferguson. People questioned David Moyes – and now Louis van Gaal – in a way they never would have done before.
Moyes changed certain things. Some players asked why. But that is a natural reaction. The media said it was a problem. It was never a problem. He tried hard, but it didn’t happen. The pressure increased even more. When you are manager of a club like United, in the time we live, no one gives anyone time to achieve anything. Those outside forces created a bad energy. When that happens it reflects on the team and the fans and it becomes a problem.
So, for all the years of success and good memories, I have this one: Finishing seventh. It was a bad way to leave the club.”

The club still haven’t shaken off Moyes’ short-lived reign

Could a return to the club be on the cards for the United great? He’s already in the process of earning his coaching badges having retired from playing earlier this year.
“Management is something I think I can do well. I would like to try to be a manager in English football,” he said.

“Managing United is a dream. If you ask any United player if they want to be manager one day, they will say ‘yes’, but I am a long way from that.”