David Moyes sacked: Gordon Strachan refuses to 'patronise' former Manchester United manager
The Scotland manager opts not to enter the debate over his compatriot
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Your support makes all the difference.Gordon Strachan will not “patronise” David Moyes by joining in the great debate about the recently-sacked Manchester United manager.
Moyes departed Old Trafford on Tuesday after just 10 months in the post with 40-year-old midfielder Ryan Giggs put in temporary charge.
The Scotland manager, who played for United in the 1980s, was at Hampden today to reveal the four nominees for the PFA Scotland manager of the year award.
"I have been watching the television the last 24 hours and everyone has an opinion on David and I think David will be delighted that I am of the opinion that I am going to say nothing about it," said the former Celtic, Southampton and Middlesbrough boss.
"As a manager you don't want to patronise, and I don't want to speak about something you don't know too much about so it will be a relief for David for someone to actually be quiet and he can get on with life.
"If I was David Moyes, I would like everybody, unless you know exactly what has happened, just to be quiet because you will end up patronising him and that is not what he wants."
Strachan, though, believes that the terrific rate of managerial turnover in the English top flight, which shows no signs of abating, means Moyes will emerge from his experience with his reputation intact.
"Years ago it would be a real blemish on your career if you got the sack," he said.
"You felt bad about it, people looked at you differently.
"There's that many sackings nowadays, nobody bothers. Tony Pulis got the sack (at Stoke City) and it wasn't a big problem.
"Tony Pulis comes in (Crystal Palace) and could possibly be the manager of the year so I don't think there is that stigma any more - and the good thing is, you get paid a lot if you get the sack in the English Premier League."
The former Scotland, Leeds and Aberdeen midfielder, though, admits that patience in the boardroom or in the stands is not necessarily a positive.
He said: "I think there has been 10 managerial changes (this season) if you count two at Fulham.
"Some chairmen will say it is great to change because we have stayed up and some will say it is a waste of time changing because we are going down.
"But that's where it is at the moment because I think the money and shares determine a lot.
"And people talk about patience but if you look at Chelsea, over the last 11 years they have won the same amount of trophies as Manchester United.
"One keeps a manager for a long time, the other changes their manager every year.
"So what's right?"
PA
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