Moyes - The Preston Years

Every young manager needs to cut his teeth and for David Moyes that process began at Preston North End.

The Scot finished his playing career at Deepdale and when Gary Peters paid the price for a torrid League One campaign, Moyes was the man they turned to.

With the defender just 34 years of age it was seen by some to be a gamble – yet it turned out to be one of the best appointments in North End’s history.

I really ended up signing for David Moyes rather than the actual club
- Graham Alexander

In this exclusive video feature we chart how he transformed the club’s fortunes, rescuing them from the brink of League Two and taking them to within 90 minutes of the Premier League.

Two men who were there every step of the way were Preston legend Graham Alexander and Sean Gregan, Moyes’ trusted skipper, and here they tell us just how he was able to not only breathe fresh life into the club, but also their own playing careers.

Alexander said: “I was 27 and had only played in the lower leagues up until that point. I had met a few other managers but David Moyes was the only one who picked out my bad habits and the things I could improve. Other managers spoke of my positive points, but he spoke about what he could improve in me as a player and what he could help me achieve. That struck a chord with me and I really ended up signing for David Moyes rather than the actual club.

“He was the one who really believed that I could go and play at the top level, at international level. He was fantastic and I owe him a lot.”

Moyes cut his managerial teeth at Preston

Gregan added: “I think he always wanted to be a manager and he has proven what a good decision that was. The standards he set were high standards, not only on the pitch, but off it as well. He certainly made me a better person and I am grateful that I had the chance to work with him.”

So watch the above video for exclusive footage of Moyes from both his playing days and the early years of his managerial career and find out how he established a reputation as one of the brightest young managers in football.