David Moyes has taken his first steps towards imposing his authority as Manchester United manager by dispensing with the services of assistant manager Mike Phelan and goalkeeper coach Eric Steele.
Moyes, who began work as Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor earlier this week, sanctioned a one-year contract extension for defender Rio Ferdinand as his first significant piece of business at Old Trafford.
The Scot is also expected to address Wayne Rooney’s future in the coming days, with uncertainty over the forward’s commitment to the club following Ferguson’s claims that the player has asked to leave this summer.
But with Rooney spending time with his family following the birth of son, Klay, on Tuesday morning, Moyes has turned his immediate attentions to his backroom staff, with the Manchester United confirming the departures of Phelan — Ferguson’s assistant since 2008 — and Steele, who has worked closely with Spanish keeper David de Gea over the past two years.
“I would like to put on record the clubs thanks for everything Mike and Eric have done,” Moyes said. “I will be looking to appoint my own members of coaching staff at some point in the future.
“However, I’d like to take this opportunity to give them both our best wishes for their future careers.”