La Real lined up Moyes replacement?

It’s reported Real Sociedad had started the process of finding a replacement for David Moyes before the Scot saved his job with the win over Levante.

Moyes, appointed in December 2014, was said to be on the precipice after a run of disappointing results and performances, and had La Real lost to Levante, he would have been sacked.

AS says the Basque club went so far as identifying three candidates to take over – Joaquin Caparros, Juande Ramos and Juan Antonio Pizzi.

Initial approaches were made regarding the availability of the trio, although negotiations weren’t officially underway with anyone.

The club’s board and, most significantly, President Jokin Aperribay, have backed Moyes, it’s felt, and Aperribay in particularly has argued to give the former Everton and Manchester United manager as much time as possible.

It was defeat to Atletico Madrid that led the decision-makers to consider their next step, albeit reluctantly, AS claims, in part because of the criticism that followed the 2-0 home reverse.

Ramos, who has been spoken to by La Real before, was open to taking the post, and the parties remain on good terms.

Pizzi, the former Valencia trainer now working in Mexico, actually met with Aperribay over the summer when the President travelled to the United States, and made a positive impression, which led to his inclusion on the three-man shortlist, and the Mexican League is almost over, which would have made his appointment a little easier.

Caparros was considered due to a good track record of working with youth team graduates, and it was felt he would have provided stability after Moyes’ sacking.

Other Coaches were also discussed and rejected and Moyes remains in place due to Aperribay’s support but, AS notes, if the situation changes, the club have a head-start on a successor.

Tags David Moyes Joaquin Caparros Juan Antonio Pizzi Juande Ramos
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