David Moyes: Five things he should do to save Real Sociedad

Seven months after being sacked by Manchester United, David Moyes has made a comeback to coaching with Real Sociedad, who sit outside La Liga’s relegation zone only on goal difference.

It is a dramatic fall from grace for the Basque Country club, who qualified for the Champions League two seasons ago with French boss Philippe Montanier in charge and the Europa League last term under managerial novice Jagoba Arrasate.

Moyes inherits a Sociedad squad who stunned reigning Spanish champions Atletico Madrid last time out, so there is a fighting spirit to work with in San Sebastian. It will take more than this to revive their fortunes, however, so Coral football experts ponder what Moyes must do to save the club.

Pick a settled side
Prior to his sacking and before that subsequent sensational win over Atletico, when they were rudderless, Arrasate used 21 different players as starters in Sociedad’s first 10 La Liga outings.

In short, he had no idea what his best XI was. Star players Asier Illarramendi and Antoine Griezmann were sold in successive summers, which is the price the Basque boys have had to pay for their relative success.

What’s left behind for Moyes are loyal local names and the odd outlay made with the money received for selling Sociedad’s best and brightest. The Scot must find the right tactical blend and a settled side in a system that allows the remaining talents to flourish.

Use a diamond formation
A cursory inspection of the Sociedad squad suggests that because of a wealth of midfield players, the en vogue diamond formation would suit. Teams are very difficult to break down from central areas when the engine room is flooded with bodies.

Moyes would want the Basques to adopt the ‘tough to beat’ mentality his players had at Everton, and this set-up lends itself to that. A diamond might be the only way to sensibly fit former Real Madrid youngsters Sergio Canales and Esteban Granero (QPR fans will remember the latter) into the same system.

Build the team around Carlos Vela
Sociedad cannot rely on guileful winger Griezmann for goals anymore, nor Chile captain Claudio Bravo to keep them out at the other end, having cashed in on both. Moyes, then, would be well advised to make Mexico and ex-Arsenal forward Vela his main man.