New Delhi: Former West Ham and Manchester United manager David Moyes is on the verge of making a sensational return to Everton, nearly a decade after his first stint at the Merseyside club. Moyes, who managed Everton between 2002 and 2013, is expected to meet with club officials on Friday to finalize a two-year deal to replace Sean Dyche, who was dismissed on Thursday.
The Friedkin Group, Everton’s new owners who completed their takeover last month, are keen to announce Moyes’ appointment before the weekend as they look to stabilize a club hovering just one point above the Premier League relegation zone. Dyche, who took over in January 2023, managed to keep Everton in the top flight last season despite the team being docked eight points due to breaches of the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
BREAKING: David Moyes is meeting with Everton officials today to agree a deal to return to the club as manager 🚨
Sky Sports News understands he’ll join the club on a contract of at least two years and is expected to be in position over the weekend 🔵 pic.twitter.com/MRa5sYzpLo
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 10, 2025
However, a poor run of form this season saw him pay the price, with just one win in their last 11 games. Dyche struggled to get his side to attack well and paid the price for their lack of firepower in front of goal as they were the second worst scoring side under him, only behind to Southampton in terms of goals scored. Sean Dyche’s stint at Everton lasted less than two years, having replaced Frank Lampard in January 2023.
Despite a near-decade of experience at Burnley, Dyche struggled to instill consistent performances at Everton. Last season, he led the team to Premier League survival by a slim two-point margin, with a crucial final-day victory over Bournemouth. With the Toffees having failed to score in eight of their last 10 matches, including a lackluster 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth last weekend, the team’s struggles in front of goal and a run of poor results ultimately sealed Dyche’s fate.
David Moyes’ Legacy at Everton
David Moyes left his mark at Everton 🔵
A spell that lasted over a decade and earned him the vacant managerial seat at Man Utd 💪 pic.twitter.com/eqk9aDysm2
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 10, 2025
David Moyes is fondly remembered by Everton fans for the stability and success he brought during his 11 years in charge. The Scot was appointed in 2002, replacing Walter Smith, and famously dubbed Everton as “The People’s Club” during his first press conference. Under his leadership, Everton consistently punched above their weight, finishing in European positions on multiple occasions.
He was seen as a shrewd manager who worked on a shoestring budget at the club and regularly had them competing for a place in European football. In 2005, Moyes guided Everton to the Champions League qualifying rounds, and in 2009, they reached the FA Cup final, narrowly losing to Chelsea. His managerial achievements at Goodison Park earned him the League Managers Association (LMA) Manager of the Year award three times.
In 2013, Moyes left Everton to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. While his tenure at Old Trafford was short-lived, Moyes has since rebuilt his reputation, most notably during his second spell at West Ham United, where he achieved European success. In 2022/23, he led West Ham to a UEFA Europa Conference League triumph, the club’s first European trophy and their first major silverware in 43 years.
Is David Moyes the right fit for this Everton side?
David Moyes without a doubt is a legendary Everton manager who will always be remembered fondly by the Toffees faithful but his potential arrival arises questions. Whether he is the right choice for the club or is it just a nostalgic appointment from the new owners to appease the fanbase? Moyes was definitely a success for the club when he last managed them but that was more than a decade ago and times have changed.
Everton have ambitious new owners who would want the club to compete regularly on all fronts while also displaying beautiful attacking football. One of the main reasons Sean Dyche was let go was because of his pragmatic approach to the game and his focus on playing defensive football. Moyes was let go by West Ham at the end of last season for the same reason and that raises question marks over this potential appointment.
🚨Paulo Fonseca is Everton’s priority to succeed Sean Dyche as Manager
However the Portuguese Manager could wait until the Summer to take another job
(Source – @lequipe) pic.twitter.com/dT63fMyM6J
— 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗲 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀 (@EvertonNewsFeed) January 10, 2025
The club have a big move to their new stadium lying on the horizon and the owners want to start their new era on a high note. There are a number of managers who focus on playing possession based attacking football on the market that they could’ve targeted instead. Appointing David Moyes on a two year deal is a huge gamble and one that could tarnish the Scot’s legacy at the club and the new owners could be staring at a set back in the beginning of their tenure.
Former Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic and ex AC Milan boss Paulo Fonseca are both available on the market currently. Even former Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag and Barcelona legend Xavi are ones that are sitting free who could’ve been targeted. Brentford manager Thomas Frank, who has earlier been linked with Everton would’ve been the ideal choice for the Toffees but with David Moyes’ appointment looking all but official, fans would hope that their former manager can reach the heights of his previous glory with the club and build on his legacy rather than tarnish it.
Premier League club Everton are set to reappoint former manager David Moyes at the club on a two year deal following the departure of Sean Dyche last night. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
