By David Cartlidge (@davidjaca)

So, Real Sociedad’s defeat on Friday night to Las Palmas was to be David Moyes’ final game in charge at the club, and it couldn't be a more fitting way for the Scot to depart. La Real, as they’re known in Spain, were never really at the races. They were dominated by the hosts Las Palmas, deservedly conceded two goals through sloppy defending, and never threatened in terms of attacking play. The game summed up Moyes’ time in Spain; flat, uninspiring and never looked like being a success. 

The idea behind appointing a new coach is to breathe life into a flagging squad, offer them an injection of energy and fresh ideas. Unfortunately for Moyes, he was a continuation of one of La Real’s most forgettable coaches in some time. Jagoba Arrasate was moved on after achieving 6 points in the opening 10 games, Moyes looks set to be gone after a similar haul of 9 in 11. Not just the numbers have been eerily similar though, so has the approach on the field. Overly-cautious, one-dimensional and an unwillingness to show ambition or intent in a game. An initial kick from Moyes’ arrival soon fizzled out, as players soon became aware and uninspired by his methods.

One coach spending the last few weeks with Moyes to study his methods, had noted he’d not seen a more prehistoric coach. It’s not difficult then, to see why players soon slipped back into their state of tedium that plagued the Arrasate era. Moyes ruffled feathers inside the club too, especially so in his final chapter. First there was the issue of living inside a hotel during his time in San Sebastian, and while he astutely decided against the most expensive rooms in a smart PR move, there was a sense he didn’t offer any real sign of commitment to the task. He stayed in said hotel for 11 months. The centre of San Sebastian, where Moyes had planned to live, apparently didn’t impress him.

He eventually moved out, but only in the last few weeks of his reign - and after one final stinging article in the local press. It may be suggested where Moyes resides should have little bearing on his work, but there needs to be an understanding he’s been living in the Basque Country. This is not Spain, it’s a different approach and outlook to life, a different set of people. The late great Howard Kendall understood this immediately upon arriving at Athletic Bilbao; they do things differently here. His acknowledgement of that got him through bad times, and the people respected him for it. It’s why he’s adored so much in Bilbao.

Then there is the language aspect, perhaps the most important. Moyes never spoke it amongst his players, despite taking several lessons per week - at least to begin with. “You can understand a b********g in any language” declared Moyes in an interview, offering insight into those apparently progressive methods. 

It clearly didn’t work too, as the likes of Carlos Vela strolled around languidly game after game - admittedly, the Mexican, has given up on playing for any coach these days. Language has been a factor when it comes to speaking in public too, and there had been unease at the fact outside of traditional pre and post match press conferences, Moyes was absent from any functions the club run. Yes, he was there to coach, but when not doing that well, there was a feeling he could’ve shown his face to offer some semblance of commitment to the experience as a whole. Moyes' football was doing little talking, if he could've done some, it might've helped his case.

Moyes’ own demands and ways began to cause confusion too. He’d change team training sessions from the traditional headquarters of Zubieta to Anoeta without prior notice, despite everything been set up in the former. Many more training sessions began to be behind closed doors, while local media where restricted in what they could feed out too. If this was irking hierarchy, then something else would annoy the players. Moyes decided to stop players travelling in pairs to games and training, instead requesting they have their own rooms and even petitioning to the club that facilities were upgraded at the already exemplary Zubieta. President Jokin Aperribay, the man who petitioned for Moyes from day one over ex-West Brom and current Real Betis boss Pepe Mel, was soon to be the last man standing in terms of support for Moyes. He often was. In the end, even that faded.

Moyes the man, the manager, will no doubt take plenty from this experience and rightly so. More British coaches should be going abroad, taking in another culture to add another string to their bow. If a role for Brendan Rodgers comes up, he should think about it. For Moyes, personally, it will be seen as a success in many regards. For Real Sociedad however, the club he was payed to manage after all - and handsomely so, it has been a damning failure. Moyes did complete the first task he was asked, keeping la Real up, but given the talent at his disposal it would’ve taken a terrible coach to not achieve that.

In the summer few spent more than la Real; Jonathas, striking sensation of the La Liga season before was brought in, Asier Illarramendi returned, and several exciting young players were brought in. None of them have shown anything near there capable level, while it could be argued players already at the club hardly progressed. Iñigo Martínez did recapture his best form, but with a system based around defence, it would’ve been difficult for a player of his talents not to shine.

The acceptance of mediocrity on Moyes part was startling, and any accusations of his mentality that were thrown his way while at Manchester United have hardly been shaken off. A win over Barcelona, a few Vine’s worth of humorous moments involving a packet of crisps and bizarre usage of Spanish, will be the measure of what Moyes is remembered for over the course of his Spanish adventure. 

Moyes isn't a bad coach by any means, but the reason he was sacked is because of a failure to convince the people that matter he was a good one.