As David Moyes prepares for the Old Trafford hot seat, we look back at some previous PNE and Manchester United managerial links.
With the Scot’s appointment as the next manager of Manchester United, succeeding the ever so successful Sir Alex Ferguson, it is an apt time to check through records to find other PNE, Manchester United managerial connections.
‘Moysie’ is the third ex-Preston North End footballer to have the honour of managing Manchester United.
The first one was the genial Irish gentleman, Mr. Frank O’Farrell, who was appointed to step into Matt Busby’s shoes after the famous Munich survivor stepped down from the top position.
Unfortunately it seemed that too much interference from above led to Frank being unable to continue to manage as he would have liked, and he was ‘sacked’ after just 18 months of his five year contract.
He was superseded by another ex-Preston North End player, Tommy Docherty, who took United down to the Second Division before gaining promotion as champions.
Two years later they won the FA cup and, in doing so, prevented Liverpool from doing the treble.
A Manchester United player going on to manage Preston North End unearths five names.
The first one, Vincent Hayes, was actually North End’s first manager.
Born in Miles Platting, Manchester, he had played 128 games for United including the 1909 FA cup final, in which he left the field injured but returned to earn his winners medal.
Besides being North End’s manager from 1919-1923, he was also the secretary of the Club.
He guided the Club to the 1922 FA cup final.
When he left he became manager of Atletico Madrid.
Fifty years later Preston appointed Manchester United & England legend, Bobby Charlton as manager.
After the Club suffered relegation in 1974, he re-registered as a player and became player/manager.
Bobby resigned in August 1975 due to a dispute with the Directors of the Club over the transfer of John Bird to Newcastle United.
One of Charlton’s early signings, fellow-World Cup winner, Nobby Stiles, took over as manager in July 1977.
Under the enthusiastic Nobby, North End gained promotion to Division Two but after relegation in 1981 he lost his job.
The next former Manchester United footballer to try his luck as Preston’s manager was former assistant manager, Brian Kidd.
Kidd who had won the European Cup with United only lasted two months at the helm before being sacked. Unbelievably that was 27 years ago!
The fifth, and last name on the list, is Darren Ferguson, son of the retiring Sir Alex Ferguson.
Darren came through the juniors at Old Trafford and managed 27 league games from 1990-1994, winning a Premier League champions medal in the process!
He got on the managerial ladder with Peterborough, winning two consecutive promotions.
Ferguson joined Preston North End in January 2010 but after a string of poor results was dismissed just before he had served 12 months in the post.
Who will be next?