IF ONE MAN can empathise with what David Moyes is going through, it’s Wilf McGuinness.
Ahead of Don Revie and Jock Stein, McGuinness was surprisingly hand-picked by his predecessor, the legendary Matt Busby, to become Manchester United manager in 1969.
It was the 31-year-old’s first senior job, with McGuinness having made 81 league appearances for United before his career was cut short by injury at the age of just 22.
However, struggling with commanding senior players like Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and George Best, the 31-year-old was swallowed by the shadow of his predecessor — with the 60-year-old Busby attending Old Trafford regularly.
After just 18 months in charge, McGuinness was sacked on 26 December 1970.
“It’ll still be hurting David and I don’t think they gave him enough time”, McGuinness told TheScore.ie. “Like I was, he’ll be very saddened by it all, but he proved his worth at Everton and he’ll be alright. I’m sure, if he wants to, he’ll carry on somewhere. I had a different kind of experience. Following a great man like Matt Busby, you need to be very special and I had a long way to go in becoming very special!
“It wasn’t really my first job, because I’d been coach of United’s youth team and the under-23s. Also, I helped train England during the 1966 World Cup and was one of the trainers at Lilleshall, Shropshire. Even though I was young, I had done a little bit and when I was 31, Matt Busby told me I was going to be the next manager. I loved that but, unfortunately, it only lasted 18 months. It was Boxing Day, when I got the bad news, and I didn’t feel I could stay on in another capacity. Unfortunately, leaving United, you feel very hurt about it.
“It was the club I grew up with and you try and put the pressure towards the back of your mind, but the media have always quoted things about Manchester United. They’re always amused, whatever’s happening at the club. It can be difficult, particularly if it’s bad news, to keep on going when you’re being talked about. But, if you’re doing well, you get the plaudits. It was very difficult.”
McGuinness sought to put his own stamp on the club, with tactical chalkboards and staff/player bonding sessions replacing Busby’s more stripped back approach.
Ultimately, such was the trauma of McGuinness’ departure — as opposed to the stress of his 18-month reign — the Manchester native even lost his hair.
“The senior players were getting on a bit and nearing the end of their careers. What we needed was a few new players. It took a while and I wasn’t the only one: Frank O’Farrell only lasted nine months after me. Then, they went down with Tommy Docherty but they kept him on and they bounced right back. Since Busby and before Fergie, we’ve had a lot of managers for a big club.”
McGuinness went on to manage Aris Thessaloniki and Panachaiki, before his final spell in management at York City in 1975-77.
