David Moyes on Everton return: ‘It was too big an opportunity to turn down — I want to show I can go again’

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David Moyes on Everton return: ‘It was too big an opportunity to turn down — I want to show I can go again’
Author: Richard Jolly
Published: Jan, 13 2025 22:30

Back at Goodison Park after nearly 12 years away, the Scottish manager explains to Richard Jolly why a second stint was so tempting and how he plans to steer Everton out of a relegation battle. David Moyes was reminiscing about arriving at Everton. Not this time, but 23 years ago, before he had won a European trophy or earned an OBE, when he was management’s rising star, lured from Preston North End. “I had to walk into a dressing room with Paul Gascoigne, Duncan Ferguson, David Ginola and Tommy Gravesen. With me being a young coach, I said, ‘they won’t even know who I am’,” he smiled.

 [David Moyes is back at Everton after 11-and-a-half years away]
Image Credit: The Independent [David Moyes is back at Everton after 11-and-a-half years away]

He need not have such fears now. “People know me a bit more,” he added. Moyes has been gone for the best part of 12 years but returned to a club with many a familiar face; behind the scenes, in his squad, in captain Seamus Coleman, even in the media room. “Too many old faces,” Moyes said. “Mine included.” He has more wrinkles than when he first walked into Everton, the scars of more than 1,000 games in management, but more experience too. He is appointed in part to be the David Moyes of old, but he is an older David Moyes. “I am not coming back to the same Everton as I left but I don’t think Everton are getting the same David Moyes,” he outlined.

 [David Moyes was close to the late Everton chairman Bill Kenwright]
Image Credit: The Independent [David Moyes was close to the late Everton chairman Bill Kenwright]

The circumstances have changed in some respects, not in others. As he did in 2002, Moyes has inherited a battle against the drop. “Huge pressure,” he said. Especially for one with Everton in his heart. When Howard Kendall returned for a second spell, leaving Manchester City, he said that was a love affair but Everton a marriage. Moyes concurs. “I had a brilliant time at West Ham,” he added. “But we’ve always had a special relationship with Everton. This is a different beast to me than other clubs.”.

 [Moyes took Everton to the FA Cup final in 2009]
Image Credit: The Independent [Moyes took Everton to the FA Cup final in 2009]

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