Alex Ferguson and David Moyes will find their reputations as two of the English Premier League’s tough guys tested on Sunday as the men at the centre of a remarkable week prepare for teary farewells to Manchester United and Everton.
Just seven days ago, it was hard to imagine United’s final home game of the season against Swansea and Everton’s Goodison Park fixture against West Ham would captivate millions across the globe rather than just supporters of the respective clubs.
But Ferguson’s sensational announcement on Wednesday that he will retire as United manager at the end of the season after 26 years in charge and Thursday’s subsequent appointment of Everton boss Moyes from July 1 as his replacement changed all that.
Both matches promise to be emotional occasions despite the hard-nosed reputations of the managers who played the headline roles in this week’s dramatic events.
Ferguson is one of the last true old-school managers capable of blistering the walls with his infamous ‘hairdryer’ rants at under-performing players but, in the ferociously competitive Moyes, he has a willing apprentice.
How Ferguson and Moyes react to the tributes and praise from fans on Sunday will be one of the fascinating sub-plots of what promises to be a memorable weekend.
Ferguson traditionally gives a speech on the pitch after his team’s last home game and this one promises to be charged with electricity as he exits the Theatre of Dreams for the last time.
While Moyes can’t match Ferguson’s silverware tally, his contribution to Everton over 11 years shouldn’t be underestimated.
On a limited budget, he put an end to Everton’s battles with relegation and established them in the top half of the table, turning them into serious contenders for European football as well as reaching the 2009 FA Cup final.
Moyes hinted at the emotion he will feel on Sunday when he acknowledged it took a club of United’s global power to persuade him to leave Everton.
“It was tough because (Everton chairman) Bill Kenwright has been such a guide to me. He gave me the job and I have great respect for him,” Moyes said.
While the football world keeps tabs on Ferguson and Moyes, there are other important ties this weekend.
Chelsea’s visit to Aston Villa on Saturday is significant, with the third-placed Blues looking to seal a Champions League berth, while Villa can guarantee survival with a victory.
Tottenham can’t afford to drop points at Stoke on Sunday as Andre Villas-Boas’ fifth-placed side try to keep the pressure on Chelsea and fourth-placed Arsenal, who don’t play due to Wigan’s involvement in the FA Cup final.
Newcastle, three points above the bottom three, travel to already-relegated QPR in dire need of a win.
Norwich, at home to West Bromwich Albion, and Sunderland, who host Southampton, are level with Newcastle and equally desperate for three points.