The Chosen One fails: David Moyes and Jesus

Global sporting headlines this week were dominated by the sacking of David Moyes, manager of English Premier League club Manchester United. A series of poor results for the English champions prompted the board of one of the largest sporting teams in the world to relieve David Moyes of his duties.

Reflecting on the career of David Moyes reveals several notable parallels with the career of Jesus.

1. Both were anointed as 'the Chosen One'. Upon Moyes' arrival at Manchester United a now infamous banner was erected at Old Trafford announcing Moyes as 'The Chosen One' - the manager handpicked by previous manager the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson to take over the club. Similarly Jesus was recognised as 'the chosen one' of Israel by his disciples. The nation of Israel were anticipating a great ruler, a 'Messiah', a Chosen One, to liberate their people.

2. Both performed notable miracles. Jesus' miracles are well documented, he healed the sick, cast out demons, calmed a storm and most remarkably raised the dead! Even non-Christian writer Josephus acknowledged that Jesus performed 'amazing deeds'. David Moyes performed a number of miracles as manager of his previous club Everton. He turned a team which had struggled against relegation for a decade or so into one of the most competitive teams in England. Most notable amongst his 'miracles' was his team's performance in the 2004-05 season. Everton were prime relegation candidates at the start of the season. Everton were facing serious financial problems, they sold superstar Wayne Rooney and lost 4-1 at home to Arsenal on the first day of the season. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger then thought that Everton were 'going to go down'. Moyes masterminded a remarkable season in which they finished 4th and qualified for the Champions League - a feat regarded by many as a footballing miracle. He was subsequently awarded LMA manager of the year - an award which he won 3 times.

3. Both careers were characterised by failure. Supporters of both Jesus and Moyes had high expectations. Jesus would bring liberation to his people and Moyes would win the title. Yet both failed. As a glorious liberator, Jesus was killed and Israel remained firmly under Roman control. Similarly, as a manager, Moyes failed to bring any kind of glory to Manchester United. Moyes' reign was regarded as 'catastophic', finishing outside the Top 4 for the first time in over 20 years, going out of all Cup competitions and some abysmal team performances including home losses to lowly West Brom and Newcastle.

4. They were both betrayed and lonely at the end. Poor David Moyes was left alone, deserted by the Board, by Sir Alex Ferguson, his team and the fans. Sir Alex Ferguson had recommended Moyes for the job, yet was apparently among those who called for him to be sacked. Jesus' fate was worse than Moyes. Jesus was betrayed and he was brutally murdered. Jesus died alone on a cross. All of his disciples had deserted him and those who were brave enough to witness his crucifixion watched from a distance.

Whilst there are many parallels and similarities between their careers, a crucial difference between the two is that Jesus' ultimate success comes as a result of his perceived 'failure' - Jesus' failure was part of his plan. Contrary to the opinions of those around him, Jesus knew that the 'chosen one' needed to suffer, be rejected, be killed and then be raised to life three days later (Mark 8:31). Failure wasn't part of Moyes' plan (as far as we're aware), nor the requirements of the job of managing Manchester United.

Furthermore Moyes was announced as the 'Chosen One' before he failed. Yet Jesus was vindicated as the Chosen One after his 'failure' of death was overturned by being raised from the dead (Romans 1:3-4).

Finally, it was slightly ironic that it was defeat to his former team Everton on Easter Day which sealed his fate. Moyes failed at Easter and was sacked. It also appeared that Jesus failed at Easter, but the crucial difference was that Jesus was raised to life to live as the glorious 'chosen one' able to save his people from their sins and failures. Unfortunately for David Moyes no resurrection seems likely.

Image courtesy of Vikram Banerjee "How to Succeed Under Pressure", footdown.com