David Moyes warns Everton players he has not returned for a relegation battle
Share:
David Moyes told Everton’s players he has not returned to be immersed in a relegation battle but to regenerate the club for a second time. “I’ve got to make sure that when we walk out of Goodison and lock the door for the final time, we can all walk down to the new stadium in the right position,” the 61-year-old said as he was unveiled as Everton manager 23 years after first taking the job.
![[David Moyes poses with an Everton shirt at his second unveiling as manager.]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/af841883f1351576e712c2a0e23aef890ba4e1e0/0_551_2781_1668/master/2781.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Moyes met the Everton squad for the first time on Monday having signed a two-and-a-half-year contract to succeed Sean Dyche on Saturday. He admitted Everton’s new owners, The Friedkin Group, was stunned by how quickly matters unravelled with Dyche and has tasked Moyes not only with securing the club’s Premier League status but laying long-term foundations.
The Scot, whose backroom staff will comprise Alan Irvine, Billy McKinlay and Leighton Baines, made it clear he expects vast improvement from a team that have won three Premier League matches all season. The new, and old, Everton manager said: “The football club needs steering in the right direction, putting in a place where you’re not fighting at the bottom of the league all the time.
“I’ve told the players today: ‘I’m not coming here to manage a team at the bottom of the league. I’m coming to manage a team that’s going to be fighting and challenging.’. “Part of it is – you players had better turn up. I’ve got no doubt the crowd, the people, Goodison, will all play a part. The players have to play their part now and show they can handle it. Goodison can be a very fierce arena and they have to go on stage and put on a big act. They have to perform.”.
