There's many rumours floating about suggesting that David Moyes is a potential replacement for Alex McLeish, if the Rangers manager fails to avert his side's poor run of form. I've no doubts that Moyes will be at Goodison for a long time, but this story is an interesting example of how you can trace the diffusion of rumours.
The story first appeared in The Daily Mirror, and is unsurprisingly written by Alan Nixon. Nixon formely worked for The Independent, and wrote several articles in the build up to Wayne Rooney's transfer to the Mancs. Nixon happens to be a shareholder of Rooney's agents, Proactive, and this conflict of interest was highlighted by Kenny Fogarty, forcing Nixon to resign.
The story then appeared in the Liverpool Echo, which is owned by Trinity Mirror - the parent company of the Daily Mirror. The Echo and the Mirror have run similar stories before, notably during Rooney's departure, when they were bitter about his exclusive interviews for The Sun. (For a criticism of the way the press treated Rooney, see 'A Pawn for the Papers').
The story is now a headline on BBC Sport, in an article by chief football writer Phil McNulty. McNulty also works for The Echo.
There's no factual basis for this rumour, and even if Rangers were looking for a new manager there's no reason why David Moyes would want to take it. This is just another example of pally journalists propagating their bullshit.
The Guardian's Fiver (http://football.guardian.co.uk/Fiver/0,4022,1643257,00.html) is rumouring that if Moyes were to head North, McLeish will go the opposite way.
Posted by: SL | November 16, 2005 at 02:01 AM