CARSON, Calif. — Landon Donovan, for one, believes Manchester United have made the correct choice in their replacement for retiring legend Sir Alex Ferguson.
The English powerhouse revealed Thursday that Everton manager David Moyes will take over for Ferguson, who announced earlier this week that he was stepping down after 27 years in charge.
Moyes, 50, who has produced competitive sides on a tight budget at Everton since 2002, received Ferguson's endorsement, and Donovan, who spent two loan stints with the Toffees, said he was “very happy” for his former boss.
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“It was, in my opinion, the pretty obvious choice,” Donovan said following the LA Galaxy's training session Thursday morning at the Home Depot Center. “I think anybody who has come across him probably in his playing career and definitely in his coaching career has a ton of respect for him and is very happy for him.
“I've never heard anybody say a bad thing about him. I have nothing but great memories of my time there, and I think he's going to do really well.”
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Donovan made huge contributions to Everton in short-term loan spells at the start of 2010 and 2012, and Moyes expressed interest in bringing in the Galaxy forward/midfielder to the club on a full-time basis.
Rumors already are circling that Donovan, 31, could join Moyes in Manchester, but Donovan laughed them off.
“Well ... I'm pretty sure that they prefer players that can make penalty kicks,” said Donovan, who has missed twice from the penalty spot in Galaxy losses this year, including last weekend's defeat to Houston. “So perhaps if I can get that back under my belt, I'll have a chance.”
