Soccer

David Moyes relishing job of revitalising Real Sociedad

Former Manchester United boss admits he turned down Premier League jobs to move to Spain

David Moyes speaks during a press conference after he was presented as Real Sociedad’s new head coach at Estadio Anoeta in San Sebastian, Spain. Photograph: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
David Moyes speaks during a press conference after he was presented as Real Sociedad’s new head coach at Estadio Anoeta in San Sebastian, Spain. Photograph: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
Thu Nov 13 2014 - 17:10

David Moyes said Real Sociedad were the "only side that tugged at my heartstrings" after revealing he had turned down offers from a number of Premier League clubs before agreeing to take over the Primera Division strugglers.

Moyes was confirmed as Sociedad’s new manager on Monday night, seven months after he was sacked as Manchester United boss following a dismal first season in charge at Old Trafford.

Speaking at his official presentation in San Sebastian on Thursday, Moyes admitted he had chances to return to management in England as well as other countries, without revealing which clubs were involved, but said Sociedad were the only one that really captured his imagination.

He said: “Never had any doubt (about joining Sociedad). I’d had several offers to manage back in the Premier League, I’ve spoken to several clubs in different countries but the only place that has really tugged at the heartstrings and made me think this is the right club has been Sociedad.”

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The Scot, who has signed a one-and-a-half-year deal with the Spanish outfit, left United just 10 months into a six-year contract after being named as the successor to Alex Ferguson in the summer of 2013.

At the time of his departure, United, the defending champions, were seventh in the Premier League and 23 points behind leaders Liverpool.

Moyes also left United with a host of unwanted records broken during his tenure, including failing to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in almost two decades.

Despite that chastening experience, Moyes says he is now ready to return to management and looking forward to the challenge of leading Sociedad away from the Primera Division relegation zone.

Sociedad moved out of the bottom three with Sunday’s 2-1 home win over defending champions Atletico Madrid but are still level on nine points with second-bottom Levante and three other clubs.

Moyes said: “I feel at this stage that I’m at just now, it’s the right time. I’m well rested, I’ve had six months off and I’ve got to say I’m raring to go.

“I’m really looking forward to the challenge, big challenge but one which I’m confident. The confidence the chairman has given me has been great and I’m really looking forward to showing him what we can do.”