David Moyes: I would love to help Scotland back to World Cup Finals

David Moyes wants to one day lead Scotland to a major tournament.

David Moyes is as excited as any football fan about the World Cup Finals.

But his only regret is that Scotland will not be a part of the greatest show on earth when it kicks off in Brazil on Thursday.

The passionate Scotsman wants to see the land of his birth involved again as soon as possible. And one of his ambitions in the game is to one day manage his country into a major tournament.

In an exclusive interview with The Sunday Post, the former Manchester United and Everton boss said: “I’d like to, some day, be involved in an international tournament. I think it would be very exciting to be a part of.

“I don’t think it’s something I’m looking to do in the very near future but you never say never. It would provide different challenges from what a club manager has to deal with every day.

“To be a part of a qualification process over a two-year period would be very satisfying. That would apply to the European Championships and the World Cup. And, naturally, I’d love to see Scotland back involved.

“If I could be a part of helping to make that happen in any way, then all the better. I’d be extremely proud.”

Moyes has travelled to several World Cups as a Scotland supporter and in a working capacity. He has wonderful memories of them all.

He recalled: “I’ve been to many World Cups over the years. It was a tournament I always wanted to see and be a part of in some shape or form.

“One of my most favourite memories is of Mario Kempes and the tickertape in Argentina in 1978. I think everyone who saw it back then can still picture the blue and white all over the pitch.

“And going even further back, to 1970 in Mexico, I well remember when Gordon Banks made that world-class save from Pele’s header in the England-Brazil game.

“That has been replayed on television thousands and thousands of times ever since. It is etched in all of our memories. Special moments in the history of this tournament.

“I hope the tournament in Brazil this summer also gives us memories that will last for a long time. Italia 1990 was my favourite World Cup. I drove over in the car for that one with family and friends.

“I’ve been to South Korea in 2002, Germany in 2006 and 2010 in South Africa. I didn’t do America in 1994 but I was at France 98, and paid my own way to get there.

“I wrote to every country to ask for permission to watch a few of their training sessions during the tournament.

“The only country that got back to me was Scotland! And I’d already taken all my badges on their coaching courses at Largs! But I was grateful to the then Scotland manager, Craig Brown, for letting me see the set-up.

“They were based in Avignon in the South of France and it’d a beautiful part of the world.

“Back then I wasn’t that well off, and luckily enough Craig gave me tickets for a few of the matches and I drove to see games in Marseille and Montpellier.

“So I’ll always be eternally grateful to Craig for that. Getting that kind of experience under my belt so early in my coaching and management career was invaluable.”

This year, Moyes will watch the drama in Brazil from his front room. He had offers to do media work at the tournament but opted to stay at home.

He said: “I think this will be a good spectacle. FIFA will want this remembered for all the right reasons and I’m sure it will be.

“There will be some exceptional countries involved and some world-class footballers to keep every football fan entertained, and all of us on the edge of our seats.”