Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

David Moyes sacked: 'The Chosen One' banner removed from Old Trafford after Moyes sacked earlier this week

Controversial banner installed after the arrival of Moyes last summer is taken down

Jack de Menezes

Thursday 24 April 2014 17:57 BST

The Chosen One has gone, and now too, has his supportive banner.

Following Manchester United’s decision to sack manager David Moyes on Tuesday, the famed ‘Chosen One’ banner that has caused much controversy since Moyes was appointed to the job has been removed from Old Trafford.

Having been on display for the entire season in the Streford Road end, fans had targeted the banner in their protests against Moyes, with the recent flyover above Old Trafford reading ‘Wrong One – Moyes Out’ during the early exchanges of the 4-1 win over Aston Villa last month.

Those fans that shelled out £840 for the banner have now got their wish, given that the former Everton manager has dispensed with earlier this week and replaced with veteran midfielder Ryan Giggs on an interim basis. But what will happen to ‘The Chosen One’ banner?

It originally appeared on auction site Ebay, but The Stretford End Flags group – who paid for the banner – have confirmed that the listing is a spoof of the 20ft flag and despite 142 bids taking the current price to £154,100, the banner is not for sale just yet.

Co-founder of the group Andrew Kilduff has confirmed that the banner will either be offered to a museum or sold to raise funds for charity, and will be replaced by a new flag that pays homage to club legend and director Sir Bobby Charlton.

“It’s something we’re going to think about carefully. We may offer to the National Football Museum or auction it off for charity,” said Kilduff.

The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

Show all 11

1/11The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

Jurgen Klopp

Currently the manager of Borussia Dortmund, Klopp coached his team to the Champions League final in 2013. He also delivered back-to-back Bundesliga titles in 2010/11 and 2011/12, despite Dortmund being in the financial shadow of Bayern Munich. All of that was achieved while playing a distinctive attractive style of football. After six years at the club, it could be time for the 46-year-old German to move on, however he has already said he is happy to stay.

GETTY IMAGES

The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

Fabio Capello

The former England manager has coached the likes of Real Madrid, AC Milan, Juventus and Roma. He now resides over the Russian national team who topped their group in qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil to ensure they are at the biggest tournament of them all for the first time since 2002.

Getty Images

The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

Louis van Gaal

Dutchman Van Gaal will be leading his national side at this year's World Cup in Brazil. He has taken charge of both Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the past and won the Champions League in 1995 with Ajax. In total, he has won over 60 per cent of his 780 games in management and he's made it very clear he covets a position in the Premier League. Heavily linked with Tottenham prior to David Moyes' sacking.

GETTY IMAGES

The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

Sir Alex Ferguson

Considering he's at every game anyway, a switch from the stands back to the dug-out doesn't seem inconceivable for Sir Alex Ferguson. It'd certainly be a popular choice among fans having achieved so much success in his long time in charge. The winner of 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups and two Champions League titles, if there's anyone who can succeed Ferguson, it's Ferguson.

GETTY IMAGES

The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

Jose Mourinho

Since returning for a second spell at Chelsea last summer, the Special One has been saying he wants to see out his career at Stamford Bridge. Yet prior to returning to west London, it was an open secret he coveted the Old Trafford hot seat. If United want to turn their fortunes around, no other manager can provide the kind of guarantees of success that Mourinho can.

Getty Images

The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

Frank De Boer

Although his managerial experience is relatively small in comparison to other potentials, he has already shown he can win domestically. Since taking over at Ajax in 2010, in his first job as manager, De Boer has won the Eredivisie in three consecutive attempts, with his team currently well clear at the top of the league this season. Has been regularly linked with the biggest vacancies in Europe.

The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

Antonio Conte

Winner of the Serie A manager of the year in 2011-12 and 2012-13 after leading Juventus to the title in those seasons, as well as a Champions League winners medal to his name as a player, Conte has pedigree. Since taking charge in Turin three years ago, the Italian has returned Juventus to the dominant force in Italy, with the club destined to win their third title in a row this term. That kind of dominance is exactly what United crave.

GETTY IMAGES

The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

Diego Simeone

Simeone has been enjoying much success since taking over at Atletico Madrid. His excellent win rate has seen the club win the Europa League and Super Cup, and against all odds challenge Real Madrid and Barcelona for La Liga title this season. He'd have to hope his history with David Beckham didn't count against him if Manchester United came calling.

GETTY IMAGES

The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

Michael Laudrup

Despite a rather sudden and messy divorce from Swansea City earlier this year, Laudrup did show he was capable of managing at the highest level. He won the League Cup with the Welsh club, the first major trophy in the club's history, and he did it with a brand of football that won many plaudits. A legend as a player, the Dane has the gravitas for such a huge position as Manchester United manager.

AP

The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

Harry Redknapp

Currently manager of QPR, Redknapp has often been a fan favourite across English football, winning manager of the year in 2009/10 as well as the FA Cup with Portsmouth in 2008. At one stage he looked a certainty to be the next England manager, only to lose out to Roy Hodgson.

GETTY IMAGES

The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

Ex-United players

If Manchester United were to choose from one of their own, they would have plenty of ex-players to pick from. Ryan Giggs is the most obvious choice after being installed on a temporary basis after Moyes' departure. Others in management who served as a player under Sir Alex Ferguson include Roy Keane, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, both Neville brothers and Steve Bruce. Mark Hughes played for United along with Gordon Strachan and Laurent Blanc. While none of them have particularly overachieved in any of their positions, a former player tends to be popular with fans, and can be rewarded with success.

AP

“It got a lot of coverage. But there are no regrets about it. Old Trafford is filled with symbolism so there is no hiding place for a manager.”

But a spokesman for the National Football Museum hinted that they would not be able to take the banner, which paraded above Moyes for the 10 months he was in charge after being selected to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson last summer.

“While we are always grateful for offers, we often have to decline for reasons of space and because it doesn’t fit within our guidelines,” said the Spokesman.

The banner is not the only thing to appear on Ebay since Moyes’ departure, as the ‘David Moyes is a football genius’ flag that was displayed by Liverpool fans in their recent win over United is also on sale for £500.

A bit too pricey? Other Moyes collectables include a signed 80th birthday card that is currently available for 99p. Bargain.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies