Madrid, Nov 5 (IANS): Former Everton and Manchester United coach David Moyes is the favourite to replace Jagoba Arrasate as the coach of Spanish side Real Sociedad.

The Spanish press reports that although the club has other options, such as former Betis and West Bromwich Albion coach Pepe Mel, former Argentina boss Alejandro Sabella and German side Mainz coach Thomas Tuchel, Moyes is the first option of club president Jokin Aperribay, who has already begun negotiations with the Scottish trainer, reports Xinhua.

The main handicap to negotiations could be Moyes' financial demands, given his high status in the game despite his failure at Manchester United.

Manchester United's difficult start in the ongoing season under the experienced Louis Van Gaal has put Moyes' year at Old Trafford into perspective and he is also backed up by his successful 11-year spell at Everton prior to his move to Manchester.

Arrasate, who admitted in a press conference that he failed in getting the best out of his players, was sacked Sunday after a home defeat to Malaga left the club second from bottom of the La Liga with just six points from the first 10 games of the season.

Sociedad's home win against Real Madrid in the second game of the season is their only triumph so far despite having a squad which has Carlos Vela, Sergio Canales, Inigo Martinez, Ruben Pardo and Alfred Finnbogason.

Sociedad have previously worked with British coaches, with John Toshack enjoying three spells at the club, while Wales coach Chris Coleman also worked in San Sebastian. British players such as John Aldridge, Dalian Atkinson and Kevin Richardson also played for the club.