MANCHESTER, England, May 9 (UPI) -- David Moyes, currently coaching Everton, has been selected to follow Alex Ferguson as manager of Manchester United, the team said Thursday.
Ferguson Wednesday announced his intention to retire at the end of this season, which has two games to go. He had led the team since 1986 and won 13 Premium League titles, including the league championship this year.
Ferguson had recommended Moyes be the next Manchester United coach and the team's board unanimously voted to offer the position to Moyes. He agreed to a 6-year contract that goes into effect July 1.
"When we discussed the candidates that we felt had the right attributes we unanimously agreed on David Moyes," Ferguson said in a statement. "David is a man of great integrity with a strong work ethic. I've admired his work for a long time and approached him as far back as 1998 to discuss the position of assistant manager here.
"He was a young man then at the start of his career and has since gone on to do a magnificent job at Everton. There is no question he has all the qualities we expect of a manager at this club."
"It's a great honor to be asked to be the next manager of Manchester United," Moyes said. "I am delighted that Sir Alex saw fit to recommend me for the job. I have great respect for everything he has done and for the football club.
"I know how hard it will be to follow the best manager ever but the opportunity to manage Manchester United isn't something that comes around very often and I'm really looking forward to taking up the post next season."
