David Moyes has said in the Daily Mail that he took the Real Sociedad job after advice from Sir Alex Ferguson.
Former Everton boss Moyes was selected by Ferguson to replace him at Manchester United when he retired last year.
That move failed, though, after Moyes was sacked just 10 months into a six-year contract at Old Trafford, with United floundering seventh in the Premier League table.
Moyes was announced as Sociedad manager on Thursday and revealed that Ferguson told him to take the opportunity to rebuild his reputation abroad.
"I phoned Sir Alex about coming out and he spoke about the job and the opportunity, which he thought was a great one for me," he said. "He thought it would be a good chance and something very few British managers get the opportunity to do."
Despite his United departure in April, Moyes still insists he was the right man for the job, claiming he was not given enough time to shape the squad in his image.
He called on club officials to offer that time to his replacement, Louis van Gaal, who has presided over United's worst start to a season since 1986.
"I still stand by what I said at the time that I was not given enough time at United to succeed or fail," Moyes added.
"I think there was nothing wrong with how we worked and everyone can see that whoever is in charge at Manchester United, it is quite a long job to do things. Nine months would never be enough time for any manager.
"I do think that most real football people understood that there would be a period of transition at Manchester United when you take over from Sir Alex. I always believed I was the right person for the job and I still believe that is the case. But Van Gaal now has to be given the time to do the job."