One came to the club as the ‘Chosen One’ handpicked by his awe inspiring and knighted predecessor while the other entered, perhaps as the ‘Carefully Chosen One’ to replace a manager whose legacy will forever be etched in the annals of the club’s rich history after leading the team to their first ever treble in his final season with them. Fortunes could not have been more contrasting for David Moyes at Manchester United and Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich. While the Scotsman’s lethargic United languish in the seventh place in the EPL, Guardiola’s side have already wrapped up the Bundesliga title and look a side that has improved from the one that won the treble.
Stepping into the shoes of Sir Alex Ferguson was never going to be easy for Moyes. The former Everton manger’s tactical flaws in key matches this season have been staggering. Defeats against archrivals Chelsea, Manchester City and and Liverpool haven’t endeared him to United fans.
The Red Devils have changed into a side that no longer plays with the same panache, pace and intent.
Meanwhile, Guardiola, who took over from Jupp Heynckes, has inspired the Bavarian giants to another level. With his eye for details, insistence on possession football and high pressing game, Bayern have looked, at times, unstoppable under his guidance.
Perhaps the biggest difference between the two clubs was the way they operated in the transfer market. Guardiola stuck to his philosophy and bravely took steps to pack off players who did not suit his style of play by selling Mario Gomez and midfield engine Luis Gustavo while bringing in Thiago Alcantara.
In Moyes’ case the lack of preparation was evident during the transfer fiasco he oversaw.
With the first leg clash in the Champions League quarterfinal between the two ending in a draw, perhaps Moyes’ best result to date, intriguing tests await the two managers.
For Moyes, it offers a crucial chance to prove he can repay the faith shown by his predecessor.
For Guardiola, on the other hand, it throws open another opportunity to enhance his ever-growing reputation and take Bayern to newer heights.
