Monday 8 June 2015 21:04, UK
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, David Moyes talks to Pete Hall about his first season in Spain, local politics, buying British, beating Barcelona and why he’s in it for the long term at Real Sociedad.
On the beautiful Bay of Biscay they like to do things a little differently.
San Sebastian, one of the main cities on that beautiful stretch of north-east Spanish coast, is proud of its Basque heritage and that fiercely independent way of life is an integral part of the inner workings that define the city’s football team.
Real Sociedad’s coaches are encouraged to blood as many graduates from the club’s famous Zubieta academy as possible, and try not to populate the squad with too many non-Basque recruits.
When recruiting managers, on the other hand, La Real don’t have to adhere to such traditions, with several other British coaches having already tried to steer the club to glory.
The latest is David Moyes, who has just finished his first campaign in La Liga, where, after taking over in November with the club in the relegation zone, he has steered them to a respectable 12th in his first season coaching overseas.
Instant popularity
Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports, the former Manchester United boss revealed that he has been made to feel at home from the start, with his roots key to his instant popularity.
“One of the biggest questions I got asked when I moved there was ‘how are you voting?’ (regarding Scottish independence), as they want to be independent themselves,” Moyes said.
There were quite a lot of Scottish flags flying out of the windows when I arrived, which was nice.
“There were quite a lot of Scottish flags flying out of the windows when I arrived, which was nice. They are a proud people. We hear people say ‘our own people’ all the time, and they look after each other.
“The Spanish is coming along fine. Quite slowly, I have a couple of lessons per week. My teacher is an English lad from London, a Manchester United supporter!
“As you get older it is harder to learn new things, and it is not easy, but I am enjoying it. Bits of Basque too, I know how to say Kaixo (hello) and Eskerrik asko is cheerio (or thank you), so we know some of the Basque words.
“The people there appreciate it when you can say some of the local words there as well. It is strange because the children go to school to learn Basque, then Spanish as another language.”
After initially going it alone, Moyes has been joined in San Sebastian by his good friend Billy McKinlay, who became his assistant. And the Scots are conscious that they are the exceptions to the rule.
“One of the reasons I joined the LMA (League Managers Association) is because I felt that there wasn’t enough British managers around Europe,” Moyes said.
“We are bringing in some top foreign managers, but there are a lot of top British managers that could easily do a job in Italy or Spain. One of the reasons I went was to hopefully prove that British coaches can work overseas.
“The game is becoming even more global now. You can watch football pretty much anywhere nowadays. Players can learn so much by going overseas. Different styles, different cultures.
“Players from Spain, Italy or Germany are coming to the Premier League and looking quite comfortable, so why can’t British players do the same?
“It is different with younger players. Players in Spain don’t really go full-time until they reach 18 or 19. In England the players often go full-time when they leave school at 16."
Moyes had to make do with the current crop of La Real talent when he arrived, with no time to bring in his own recruits.
It was not easy after losing some key figures last summer, with one win in their opening ten league games further adding to the gloom around the Anoeta.
However, Moyes masterminded nine more league victories as the stricken club climbed clear of the relegation places.
The most important of those successes - which instigated a run of just two defeats in eight matches - was a 1-0 victory over Barcelona in January.
The treble winners lost only one further game in La Liga, and Moyes naturally has fond memories of a game in which his players adhered to the gameplan perfectly.
“We lost Antoine Griezmann, we had sold Asier Illaramendi to Madrid, (Claudio) Bravo to Barcelona, so we had lost three important players,” Moyes added.
“Despite losing these players, the Barcelona win was a victory which shows what Real Sociedad are capable of.
“Against Barcelona and Real Madrid you have to have a different gameplan, I think all teams have.
“It is very difficult to wrestle possession off Barcelona and get an even split in the game. In fact, it is almost impossible.
“You cannot be naïve. I am a football supporter. I want to see two teams going at it, but against Barcelona firstly you have to work out how to stop Messi, Neymar, Suarez, Iniesta, Xavi, Rakitic and both full-backs joining in as well.
“You have a full job in trying to stop them, but, at home, we showed how it can be done. We defended well, we tried to counter at pace, and the early goal was key. I said to Billy McKinlay that this could be the longest night we’ve ever had here.
“It was a great victory, and Barcelona are not an easy team to beat no matter who you are.”
The challenge now for Moyes is to build on that and the post-season can be a busy time for a manager. As their star players frolic on a yacht far, far away, managers are constantly on the phone to agents and their scouting network trying to identify transfer targets and begin their pursuit.
I cannot bring in a lot of foreign players because of the philosophy of the club. We must pick very carefully to keep in with that underlying philosophy.
With the ideals of the club to bear in mind, Moyes knows he faces a tough task to bring in the right calibre of player. But if he cannot unearth the latest gem in the foothills of the Pyrenees, he knows where his eye for talent lies.
“The academy is massive to us. The philosophy is to bring as many players as possible through the academy, and it is something I really believe in,” Moyes said.
“I cannot bring in a lot of foreign players because of the philosophy of the club. We must pick very carefully to keep in with that underlying philosophy.
“It is tough, but I have always enjoyed putting young players in the team. Going back to Wayne Rooney, Jack Rodwell, Adnan Januzaj. Young players need an opportunity.
“They have to be ready, be good enough, and if not you can take them out and put them back in again.
“The English market is the market I know better. We are looking to see who is available, who is out of contract.
“We are looking in England, but it might not necessarily be British players, it could easily be foreign players in the Premier League.
“We don’t get a lot of money. The bottom of La Liga is not as strong as the Premier League, because of the TV money being unfairly distributed.
“One of my biggest disappointments since coming to Spain is that the competition doesn’t start a fair one.
“Because of how well it is run, the Premier League markets well, and the Spanish league could learn a lot from how the Premier League does its business.”
So what now? The rumours of a return to the Premier League sooner rather than later are rife, with Newcastle and West Ham thought to be interested in giving the likeable Scot another crack at life in the Premier League.
But unlike those who frequent the world famous Zarautz surf beach, on the edge of Donostia – San Sebastian’s old town – Moyes is enjoying a less tumultuous side to life and an altogether different footballing experience. He is there to work, and is planning ahead.
“I am settled now. It is a beautiful part of the country. Great beaches, food, drinking,” Moyes added.
“There is also great street food, and all the bars are full of great Pintxos (local tapas).
“The culture, the timings, when the players train, when they eat are all very different from England. These are the reasons I came, to find out more.
“I don’t think football changes too much whatever country you go to, it is very much the same.
“Me and Billy McKinlay walk the city a lot. We eat out, and the supporters are always coming over offering their support. It is going well. We are here for the long-term.”
