La Liga: What awaits former Man United boss in Spain?

David Moyes has become Real Sociedad's fourth British manager

Michael Lintorn wonders what David Moyes can achieve in his new role with La Liga strugglers Real Sociedad...

It is unclear how to react to David Moyes' arrival at Real Sociedad as head coach on a 20-month deal: admire his Steve McClaren-esque boldness in moving abroad following high-profile failure in England or wonder if something more attractive would have presented itself if he held out a little longer.

However, Moyes hadn't spent a day out of work since his managerial debut with Preston in January 1998. With no Premier League boss axed yet this season and no offers from his favourite foreign league the Bundesliga, it is understandable that he would begin to get restless after half a year unemployed.

It has been an eventful few years for Real Sociedad, who started this decade in the Segunda, qualified for the Champions League in 2012/13 - losing away and drawing at home to Moyes' Man United in the subsequent campaign - and have slipped into the relegation zone this term.

The fact that La Real made it into the Champions League, which is realistically as good as it can get for them in the current climate besides winning a cup, so recently is a bit of an issue given how difficult it will be for Moyes to top. Indeed, there is a parallel with McClaren's unsuccessful stint at Wolfsburg when taking over a year removed from their Bundesliga triumph.

Still, inheriting a side who finished seventh last season and are currently 18th, a top-half place will probably be judged a respectable 2014/15 effort, particularly having lost Claudio Bravo and Antoine Griezmann to Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in the summer.

There are still several players who Moyes will know well though, including Arsenal academy product Carlos Vela, former Real Madrid duo Esteban Granero and Sergio Canales, Spain-capped centre back Inigo Martinez and playmaking skipper Xabi Prieto, who has spent his entire career at the club.

Their two La Liga victories to date were achieved against leaders Real Madrid and defending champions Atletico Madrid, indicating that when performing to their full potential, they are far better than their league position implies.

Nine points from 11 games is a dismal return, but they are only four points off the top half. The 12-point gap to Malaga in sixth, usually the Europa League cut-off mark, will be trickier to bridge.

Moyes won his opening league matches at both Everton and Man United and will attempt to complete a hat-trick of positive first impressions when visiting Deportivo on Saturday 22 November.