• Premier League

United confirm Phelan departure

ESPN staff
May 24, 2013
Mike Phelan has spent the last five seasons as Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant manager © PA Photos
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Manchester United have announced assistant manager Mike Phelan has left the club as new boss David Moyes begins to reshape the Old Trafford backroom staff, confirming the news in an official statement on their website.

Phelan, who spent the last five years as Sir Alex Ferguson's No. 2, has left the Premier League champions following the Scot's retirement.

His departure paves the way for Moyes to bring in his own men, with Everton assistant manager Steve Round and captain Phil Neville, a former United player, tipped as possible arrivals.

Phelan, who spent five years at United as a player, returned to the club as a coach in 1999. He was promoted to assistant following Carlos Queiroz's departure to manage Portugal in 2008.

It is understood he had been concerned about his future after Ferguson announced the end of his 26-year reign.

Goalkeeping coach Eric Steele, who has been at Old Trafford for five years following a spell at Manchester City, has also left United. Chris Woods, who filled that role for Moyes at Everton, is a possible successor.

Highly-rated first-team coach Rene Meulensteen has not been dismissed, and it seems likely that he will remain at the club and become a member of Moyes' staff.

Moyes told the club's official website: "I would like to put on record the club's thanks for everything Mike and Eric have done. 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."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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