Everton boss David Moyes confident he can replicate past success

LONDON – Everton manager David Moyes said on Jan 13 he is confident in his ability to lead the club to better days again, almost 12 years after his first spell in charge, during which they had their only top-four finish of the last 37 years.

The Scot spent 11 years at Goodison Park before moving to Manchester United in 2013. He replaces Sean Dyche, who was sacked on Jan 9 hours before Everton beat third-tier Peterborough United 2-0 in the FA Cup third round.

The Toffees, who sit 16th in the English Premier League, host Aston Villa on Jan 15 having won one of their last 11 league games and only three all season, leaving them a point above the relegation zone and prompting Dyche’s exit.

Everton, under new American owners the Friedkin Group, have tasked Moyes with guiding the club through their next chapter, including avoiding the drop and overseeing the move to the new Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium next season.

“I’ve had other opportunities, quite a few since leaving West Ham United but I didn’t feel ready,” said Moyes, who left the Hammers by mutual consent at the end of last season.

“But I always felt if this job came up – and I didn’t expect it to – it was too big of an opportunity to turn down. I want to show I can go again, I’ve got to try to prove myself again.

“They want to get us back on track and we all know we need a bit of a sticking plaster at the moment and we have to try to make that work.”

Everton had nine top-eight finishes under Moyes, who led them to the 2009 FA Cup final – their only showpiece match of the past 30 years, plus the Champions League qualifying rounds in 2005.

Additionally, he helped secure European qualification four times in 11 years, a feat the club have managed only twice in the 12 years since. However, the former Manchester United and Real Sociedad manager pointed out that Everton are different to the side he inherited in March 2002.

“This is a different beast to many other clubs,” he said, when asked about his statement two weeks ago that he did not want to return to management for a relegation battle.

“A few weeks ago, I thought there was no chance Everton would be in a relegation fight and I think they will be strong enough to stay away from it.

“We need everyone behind us, the players playing better and scoring more goals if we’re going to make that happen... I’m not coming back to the same Everton. I don’t think Everton are getting the same David Moyes.”

The 61-year-old Scot added that he was much wiser now with nearly 700 Premier League games under his belt.

“I’m going to try to play as many games to win, then I’ll start thinking about style of play. Goodison will help,” he said.

The Toffees were docked points last season for breaching the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.

Asked about the club’s plans for the January transfer window, Moyes said: “There’s a (new) stadium and it looks the business, it looks elite, so we need to get some elite players.” REUTERS, AFP